Shillong, April 24: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has announced that the state will focus on promoting its unique local strengths, including Lakadong turmeric and ethnic architecture, to boost tourism and rural development. This direction comes following a review meeting chaired by Union Minister for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya M. Scindia.
Sharing insights from the meeting on social media, Chief Minister Sangma stated, “In line with the Hon’ble Union Minister’s suggestions, we will leverage our strengths, such as Lakadong, and integrate ethnic architecture into homestays and tourist sites. We are committed to enhancing rural infrastructure and road connectivity to boost tourism and drive inclusive economic growth.”
The meeting was part of a larger review of Meghalaya’s State Vision Plan, where the Chief Minister also presented a roadmap aligned with the state’s ambitious $10 billion economy target. He highlighted key sectors such as Agriculture & Food Processing, Tourism, Entrepreneurship, and Connectivity as core focus areas.
The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region also confirmed the review meeting through its official social media handle, stating, “Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia held a follow-up meeting with Hon’ble CM Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Meghalaya Govt officials, and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Government of India team to review progress on key development projects. He reviewed the implementation progress & emphasized the importance of ecology, environment & tourism to unlock Meghalaya’s full potential.”
The emphasis on Lakadong turmeric—renowned for its high curcumin content—and the preservation of traditional architecture highlights a strategic move to develop tourism while promoting local culture and livelihoods.
The renewed push for rural connectivity and infrastructure is expected to not only attract more visitors but also create lasting economic opportunities across Meghalaya’s villages and small towns.
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