Tourism resources should be harnessed : Jacob

Williamnagar, Meghalaya, Dec 13 (UNI) Meghalaya Governor M M Jacob today appealed to the state government to tap the abundant resources for developing tourism as an industry in the state without disturbing the ethnographic and demographic structure.

Inaugurating the first ever winter festival here, Mr Jacob said the scenic beauty of the state tinged with a rich tribal culture, tradition, handicrafts and songs and dances, considered something of a rarity, has an immense potential waiting to be exploited commercially on the scale of many of the Scandinavian countries.

'' The Ubion Government want the state to initiate appropriate measures in that direction in order to free itself from economic doldrums and make it move closer to self-reliance, '' Mr Jacob informed.

Pointing out that the geological formations and geographical wonders can be found in the state, the Governor said Jakrem hot spring, Kotsati-Umlawan cave system, a river cave of Eocene Age, considered the longest cave in the sub-continent, eyots (river islands) like Nongkhnum, huge rock monoliths like Lum Kyllang rock could make up the geographical wonders of Meghalaya.

However, Mr Jacob said the government should take all steps to develop Balpakram National Park and to speed up completion and commission of Baljek Airstrip to cater to international and domestic tourists.

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