SHILLONG, MAY 25: The 2014 coal ban severely disrupted livelihoods in Sohra, with coal-dependent villages like Laitryngew and Mawkma losing their main source of income, NPP legislator Gavin Mylliem said Monday.
He added that tourism has since emerged as the primary driver of economic recovery in the region.
“Of course we cannot deny the fact that in the past many years since the coal ban in the year 2014… we have areas like Laitryngew, Mawkma in those years prior 2014 most of them were dependent upon coal for their economy,” Mylliem told reporters.
The Sohra MLA said the ban forced communities to look for alternatives, with tourism gradually cushioning the blow.
“But after the coal ban, you cannot deny the fact that the tourism sector has really helped to uplift the economic livelihood of the people in the area,” he said.
Mylliem noted that Sohra’s appeal has grown beyond domestic visitors. “Sohra has been able to captivate tourists not only from our country but even tourists from all parts of the world,” he said.
He credited community participation in government-backed projects for the turnaround. “All the communities have also extended their hands to the government and especially with these projects under PM-Divine, World Bank, ADB scheme, we could see the certain proportion that needs to be shared with the government and the communities have also accepted the offer from the government,” Mylliem stated.
“Due to this fact, we do understand that people from the area and the communities have realised that this particular sector has really contributed towards the economy of the area,” he added.
Despite the tourism uptick, Mylliem admitted the government has limited scope to keep private stays affordable as demand rises.
“That is a very difficult question because of course regulating the price when it comes to the private accommodations, it is very difficult on the part of the government to regulate,” he said when asked about tariff regulation.
He said high-end options in Sohra remain few. “Presently I think only the Jiva, Polo Orchid are offering just high-end accommodation so of course let’s see what the government has in the days to come to ensure that affordable accommodation can be provided to the people,” Mylliem added.
