Located around 50 kilometres away from Shillong and about 12km from the famous tourist spot of Sohra is another exotic locale – Sohbar village.
Famous among the locals, the crystal clear Wahrew River flows near the village and the conspicuous orange-coloured bridge, called the Wahrew Arch Bridge, and David Scott trail.
However, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the inflow of local tourists to Sohbar has been reduced to around 30 percent of its 2018-2019 levels and this has affected the livelihood of the villagers dependent on tourism.
Sohbar reopened to local tourists on November 16, Ksanboklang Kharshiing, the Secretary of the Joint Committee of Elaka Sohbar and Nongjri, said today. During normal times the banks of the Wahrew are enlivened by campers, anglers and swimmers, but this has been shattered this year by the pandemic.
Entry to the designated tourist spot is Rs 20 per head, while overnight camping is charged at Rs 1,300.
The Wahrew Arch Bridge has further added to the village’s charms and the villagers are keen to promote the spot as an attractive draw for tourists while still maintaining its pristine nature.
“We have formed a joint committee of the two Elakas that aims to protect this river from pollution caused by littering by tourists and also to preserve the aquatic life in the river,” Kharshiing said.
Meanwhile, a music video of a song ‘Wahrew’ that speaks about keeping and preserving the river by Banker Kharkongor was officially launched today at a press conference.
