SHILLONG, APR 15: Pitcher plants growing wild along the Mawlaishong-Lawbah road could soon become the centrepiece of a dedicated garden aimed at drawing tourists to Mawsynram, according to UDP legislator Olan Sing Suin.
The Mawsynram MLA said he had placed the proposal before Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
“I have a new proposal also for the development of a pitcher plant garden. I have discussed with the chief minister this unique project of developing a pitcher plant garden in the Lawbah area,” Suin told reporters on Wednesday.
He noted that the stretch already has a high density of the carnivorous plants in their natural state.
“If you happen to pass through the road from Mawlaishong to Lawbah, you will see on both sides of the road there are so many wild pitcher plants growing in wild forms. If this can be developed into a pitcher plant garden, I think it will be a unique area in terms of tourism development,” he said.
Suin cautioned that habitation and forest fires pose a threat to the species.
“Of course, they will be endangered unless we take care of them because of the habitation and wild fire. I think this pitcher plant will be unique in Meghalaya if we can develop it,” he said.
The MLA said he wants the garden to become a landmark for his constituency. “I want to see one day Mawsynram will have its own pitcher plant garden,” he stated.
He added that Mawsynram lags behind Sohra in tourism mainly due to infrastructure gaps. “Compared to Sohra, it is least because of the transport I mean the bad shape of road connectivity. So once this road connectivity is improved, I see that Mawsynram also will not be second to Cherrapunjee in terms of tourism industry development,” Suin said.
Responding to questions on neglect of the area, Suin said he has pushed for action since taking office.
“I can say because I took the initiative when I got elected, I was thinking that I should approach the government because once we think, we should act. Therefore, I should approach the government to take action. I am happy that a new shift is happening in my term as MLA,” he said.
