Meghalaya has witnessed an inflow of over 10 lakh tourists last year even as the State Government was questioned for not being sincere in developing eco and cave tourism despite having the potentiality.
Replying to a question raised by North Shillong MLA, Adelbert Nongrum, Meghalaya Tourism Minister Metbah Lyngdoh informed the State Assembly that the inflow of tourists at various tourist destinations was 10,02,907 lakh last year.
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This includes 9,90,856 domestic, and 12,051 foreign tourists.
On the number of tourist spots in the State, Lyngdoh said, East Khasi Hills district has the highest with 29 spots, seven in West Jaiñtia Hills, four each in West Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi and West Garo Hills district, three each in South West Khasi Hills and North Garo Hills, two each in East Garo Hills, South West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills district and one in East Jaiñtia Hills district.
Raising a supplementary query, Congress MLA from Mawsynram, HM Shangpliang sought to know steps taken to develop eco and cave tourism since many caves, including the longest one in the world have been explored in the State.
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On this, the Tourism Minister could not provide a clear answer, saying, few steps were taken including construction of footpaths.
He also said that the Government will take a call next month on various tourism projects proposed to be taken up, while informing that the budget of the tourism department was earmarked around Rs 92 crore for 2018-19.