Begun in 2011-2012 as a water harvesting project to support farmers and households, the Umpohliew-Eitksar viewpoint is now a major tourist spot in the state.
Umpohliew-Eitksar is approximately 29km from Shillong city, located at Nongthymmai Lumthangding, and has numerous features like waterfalls, serene picnic spots, fishing ponds, children’s park and boating.
Speaking to this reporter, headman of Nongthymmai-Lumthangding, T Dkhar, said that the project at Umpohliew-Eitksar was started in 2011-2012 as a water harvesting project that gradually developed into a tourist spot, with the viewpoint work costing Rs 1.08 crores.
“It was in the 2019-2020 financial year that we got a sanction of Rs 28 lakh under the MGNREGA (rural employment guarantee act) for land development and improvement in and around water harvesting, including fencing, retaining wall, footpath, etc, and, after the sponsorship of two boats from the MLA of Sohra Gavin Mylliem, this viewpoint was fully operationalised and open to the public,” he said.
Further plans include a mini-swimming pool for children, footbridges, proper parking space and a restaurant.
However, the headman lamented that the Covid-19 pandemic forced a shutdown and the funds and livelihood of the locals were shattered.
Informing that on Sundays more than 10 volunteers from the village work in this tourist spot and funds are collected in the form of the entry fees and charges for boating, picnicking, etc, he said, “We have reopened again since September this year and we hope that there are no more lockdowns because lockdowns are not an option for the poor and daily wagers.”
