Shillong, Dec 7: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday informed that some of the popular tourist locations in South West Khasi Hills district such as the hot springs, the monoliths and other attractions would be developed under the PPP model with active involvement of local communities.

For the purpose of this, he informed that the Government has secured externally aided projects for upscaling of tourism infrastructure in South West Khasi Hills.

“Few months back I had come to see some of the tourist destinations out here and based on my last visit, I had prepared externally aided project through JICA and I’m happy to inform you that JICA has cleared it,” he said.

He also stated that the government has decided to partner with the community, not just an individual, to ensure that the benefits and returns of whatever investment the Government makes goes back to the people of the Meghalaya.

The Chief Minister also said that development of tourism will create environmentally less impactful and sustainable livelihood opportunities for the people.

“We feel that our people are dependent on resources which are exhaustible whether it’s the forest products or the different mineral resources we have… they have limitations, and one day or one point in time we will run out these resources. Even as we speak our forest covers are being affected because people don’t have the livelihood options,” he said.

He added that it is the responsibility of the Government to create alternative means of livelihood so that people will not depend on forest and forest products or depletable mineral resources and shift towards more sustainable forms of economic development such as tourism.