A one-day workshop cum awareness programme for promotion and development of rural tourism through cooperative societies was held at Eden Bari near Tura in Meghalaya’s Garo Hills on Wednesday.
Speaking at the workshop, joint registrar of Cooperative Societies, Shillong, J Kharsahnoh stated that Meghalaya is blessed with pristine natural beauty, majestic landscape, undulated hills and valleys, sparkling clear rivers and streams, rich culture, traditions and heritage of the people which attracts tourist to the State.
Therefore, the State Government has come up with a new concept of developing and promoting rural tourism through cooperative Societies thus involving more of the people, she added.
Managing Director, Meghalaya Village Development and Promotion Tourism Cooperative Society Limited, R Kharmujai spoke about the skill development on rural tourism during the workshop.
She informed that the Meghalaya Village Development & Promotion Tourism Cooperative Society (MVDPTCS) is a state level Cooperative Society which was organized and registered as per the provisions of the Meghalaya Cooperative Societies Act on July 2013 in order to ensure smooth operations of rural tourism projects spread in different parts of the State.
She further informed about Rural Tourism Hub which has been functioning at Umden, Mawphanlur, Mawlongbna, Mawlyngngot, Kongthong, Domtiewsoh amongst others and Aminda Rangsa Village, which is the only affiliated society till date from Garo hills region.
A short documentary was also screened for the participants highlighting promotion of eco-rural tourism through MVDPTCS in the state of Meghalaya.
The programme was organized by the Office of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies in collaboration with the Office of Meghalaya Village Development and Promotion Tourism Cooperative Society Limited, Shillong.