Coal as a non-renewable energy source will not last long and people should now look towards tourism as it offers great opportunities that will strengthen the local economy.
This was stated by Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh today at a function to inaugurate a hanging bridge at Sahksaw in Chamcham village located under East Jaintia Hills district, where coal has been heavily extracted since ages.
He said coal mining has been banned in the State by the National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court and the law is out there to prevent extraction of coal. However, the state is blessed with natural scenic beauty and tourism that can not only support livelihood but to conserve the natural environment, which God himself has blessed the state with.
Lyngdoh cited the example about how Sohra transitioned from a mining hub to an ultimate destination for tourists. “Coal will not last long if we continue mining and Sohra did the same because the people realised how coal mining destroys nature and contamination of rivers and lakes. Tourism is not a gift to be misused but to conserve natural resources for the future generations,” he said.
The minister further said people of the state are rich because of the natural resources available. However, people are enslaved by running after government jobs.
He also encouraged people to avail schemes for construction of homestays and informed that the state government has pegged Rs 1 crore for development of tourism in East Jaintia Hills district.
Khliehriat MLA Kyrmen Shylla urged the minister to take up development of road infrastructure in various tourist hotspots within the district.
