As part of an inspection of state-run tourism infrastructure, Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh visited the Kupli Orchid Resort in Priang village, West Jaintia Hills, on Saturday, a delayed press release informed.
Accompanying the minister were local MLA Nujorki Sungoh, Tourism Director Brenda L Pakyntein and other officials from the department. During the visit, Lyngdoh took a boat ride at the resort to assess the tourism potential of River Kupli and interacted with local residents.
A meeting was held at the resort, where a delegation from the Synjuk Ki Waheh Shnong Iooski-Saphai Circle submitted a memorandum to the minister to urge the government to tap into the tourism potential of 13 villages in the Chutwakhu–Saphai corridor and sought urgent intervention for its development.
The delegation proposed declaring these villages dedicated tourism zones and mapping them under the department’s jurisdiction. This would enable residents to access government schemes, financial support and training programmes.
The memorandum also called for a dedicated initiative to clean and rejuvenate the Kupli River, promoting eco-tourism and environmental conservation. Additionally, the delegation proposed developing eco-friendly water sports activities and other sustainable tourism activities along the river.
