Shillong, May 17: Wahlyngkhat, known for its living root bridges, near Pynrusla in East Khasi Hills is soon going to house a Living Root Bridges Experience Centre.
“The Living Root Bridges Experience Centre is going to come up (here at Wahlyngkhat). The reason why we have selected this area is the living root bridges density is very high, one of the highest in the entire region,” said chief minister Conrad K Sangma while visiting the site on Saturday.
Besides the Centre, the Rs 70-crore project also includes Wahkhen Residential Music Retreat and development of tourist amenities in Mawkyrnot, Rangthylliang and Mynrieng villages. These villages will also be developed as a trekking circuit.
The Centre will help tourists with all information about culture, history, techniques and locations of living root bridges, making their experience more special, the chief minister said.
Pointing out that trekking will be another experience for the tourists, he said, “Along the trek, there is Wahkhen village, which is known for its traditional music where we will be putting up the music centre, where people can go and train as well as experience the traditional and local music.
The Wahkhen Residential Music Retreat will allow tourists to immerse in the rich diversity of the Khasi tradition, he said.
The entire area is being build up as a complete circuit, he added.
Narrating his visit to a sacred grove at Raid Nongblai, the chief minister said, “It is denser than any other sacred groves that I have seen.”
Terming his visit to the sacred grove a great experience, he appreciated the local people for preserving the entire forest.
“It is very admirable and we have come here to see how we can promote this entire area,” he said.
With the Living Roots Bridge Experience Centre right above the sacred grove, this entire area will be promoted for tourism, he said.
However, he maintained that overall sanctity as well as the forest cover of the area shall be maintained, always keeping in mind the sentiment of the local people.
He assured that the tourists will have special experience, which they will not get anywhere in the world.
