Meghalaya CM Resolves to Promote 'Village Tourism' on Independence Day

Shillong, August 15, 2019:

Addressing the people of his state on the occasion of the 73rd Independence Day of India, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma paid homage to the valiant martyrs and the great freedom fighters of our country and also offered his heartfelt tribute to the father of our nation – Mahatma Gandhi and all the freedom fighters, including the Meghalaya braves U Tirot Sing, U Kiang Nangbah and Pa ToganSangma.

Emphasizing the need to grow the economy, Sangma said that tourism and hospitality sectors are key to Meghalaya's growth. He also offered his deepest condolences

to the families of those persons who have lost their lives due to the 3 recent floods.

Hailing the recent verdict of the Supreme Court lifting the 2014 ban on coal mining, the Chief Minister said that it is a big victory for the people of the state and added that it will have a positive impact on the economy of the State and will lead to revival of the coal mining areas.

Emphasizing the need to educate the youths, the said that the MDA Government is placing huge emphasis on secondary education.

Speaking on health issues in the State, he said that the administration aims to reduce infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rates in the coming 2-3 years, and resolved to improve health infrastructure in the State.

The Chief Minister also placed special emphasis on the effective implementation of poverty alleviation programmes.

In regards to initiatives for farmers, he said, "The Muga mission will build on our natural advantage in Muga production and focus on value addition. We also launched the Aroma Mission in collaboration with Centre for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CMAP) Lucknow. Aromatic plants could be a real game changer for our people given that they can grow even in waste lands."

He also added that Entrepreneurship Promotion is of utmost importance for the youth and said that the Meghalaya Government is implementing measures to encourage the youths.

He also added the setting up of large multi-sectoral Incubators at both Shillong and

Tura.

"We want to promote Meghalaya as a sustainable highvalue tourist destination and to create a unique experience for national and international Tourists", he said, adding "The

government wants to strongly promote village tourism so that money goes directly into the rural areas. We have many villages in the State that have unique selling points."

He also said that another top priority for my government is focus on sustainability and emphasized the need for 'community participation'.

He also mentioned that Meghalaya has become the first state in the country to formulate a State Water Policy.

The Meghalaya CM in his speech also resolved to improve sports infrastructure in the state in the run up to the National Games, 2022.

Join us as we continue the awareness campaign to preserve the only Ramsar site in Assam which is facing immense threats (A Ramsar site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention). We need your help to preserve this site of great ecological importance. Join the #LetsSaveDeeporBeel campaign and tweet about it, and do tag us on Twitter. It is time to create awareness.