Shillong: Following visuals circulating on social media showing hills being cut and mined in Markham Valley, Mawthadraishan MLA Shakliar Warjri has expressed concern and said such activities must be stopped to protect the area’s natural beauty.
Markham Valley in Meghalaya’s Eastern West Khasi Hills has recently become popular for its scenic landscape, often compared to the Dzukou Valley in Nagaland.
Environmental conservation group Green Tech Foundation has also raised the alarm and urged citizens to unite to safeguard the valley, warning that the area is under threat.
Warjri said the developments were worrying. “Yes, it is very concerning. We have a lot of scope for tourism, and the area has been gaining traction. We don’t want to see activities like hill cutting. Things have happened, and I’ve spoken to the elders, and they are working to ensure that none of this happens again,” he said.
Warjri added that several proposals have already been submitted to boost tourism in Eastern West Khasi Hills.
“In the last four to five months, the road was sanctioned and is now constructed all the way from Tieh Nongbah to Sohiong Pariong. The Tourism Department has also sanctioned a road to Markham Valley. Many proposals have been submitted keeping in mind the potential of the area, and a few have already been approved,” he said.
When asked if the people of Markham depend solely on tourism, the MLA said the shift has been gradual.
“Till date, we can’t say the people are solely dependent on tourism. Earlier, they had other means of earning. But in the last one year, since we developed the area, people have seen the potential. Many now make a living by selling food to tourists. The number of visitors has increased,” he said.
Warjri expressed hope that more tourism projects will be taken up in the coming years.
“My top priority is to ensure people can earn from tourism,” he added.
The MLA, who was recently dropped from the state Cabinet, said he is now focusing on road connectivity and other developmental activities in the region.
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