TOURISM DESTINATION: UMRANGSO

 TOURISM DESTINATION: UMRANGSO

Dima hasao is one of the vibrant districts of Assam ,Known for its  splendour  natural  resources, scenic beauty, flora and fauna, hospitality of the people, ethnic dresses , food and costumes etc., and yet it is very less explored and very less known by the people outside the autonomous district. We generally speak about Assam , that the rest of India knows only the negative part where as the positivity is not lime lighted or remain hidden from media personnel and same is reflected when Dima Hasao is analysed in Assam’s context.

  

                                            Panimur waterfalls

Even though the light of development may not touch  the remotest corner of DimaHasao and electricity may be the limiting factor to keep pace with other part of the state, but what this autonomous council posses is itself a boon by Mother nature and one is  bound to think how mother nature has bestow all her greatness to this place.

Umrangso, is  a beautiful valley that lies in the extreme periphery 

 of the Dima Hasao district of Assam in the North eastern regions 

of India. It extends from 25⁰ 30’N to 25⁰ 34’N latitude and 92⁰ 30’E 

to 92⁰ 42’ E longitude.

Time to time it has been found that how educated, rich and powerful people of the place has exploited every aspects in their own way and that led to unwanted happenings and present panic condition of the district. There is no synchrony between God made and Man made resources and it will not be wrong to tell that the contribution from man made side is very much insignificant to glorify the beauty and presence of the hill district. If a wonderful symmetry is made between Man made and Natural resources then it can be confidently spoken that , not a single person of this hill will have to go out for a search of Job .Economic development of the place will be boosted and earnings will become easy and respectable. And this will happen  only when tourism is taken to a greater height and made accepted to the people of the place.

 

If we take the example of Umrangso, which is  a beautiful valley that lies in the extreme periphery of the Dima Hasao district of Assam in the North eastern regions of India. It extends from 25⁰ 30’N to  25⁰ 34’N latitude and 92⁰ 30’E to 92⁰ 42’ E longitude.

The region can be divided into three divisions –

v      The narrow river valley areas of Kopili.

v      The high hills of Borail Range.

v      The plateau of Garampani.

Umrangso is one of the most active centre in Dima Hasao but lacks most of the modern amenities to  explore its resources and benefiting the masses. Umrangso is around 73 km from Lanka, 110 km from Haflong and around 70 km from 8 mile area of Meghalaya. The place has a enormous potential  to be turned into a hill station and  can develop into a tourist place. The sites like Panimur water falls, Umrangso golf field , Umrangso Botanical Garden , Market place,  3 kilo-Kali Mandir, Hilly tea garden areas, 3 kilo ancient caves etc. are among the few which are yet to be noticed by the people outside the place.  

The main occupation of the people of this area is Agriculture but the soil is acidic that is why production  is very low, so even after having their own land for agriculture the people of this area live hand to mouth existence. To boost their agriculture production the people of this area are also involved in Jhum Cultivation and this has now led to the another problem of Deforestation . Within a span of 10/12 years huge forest area cleared , burnt and  is reflected when we see a hillock or mountain areas  which was earlier greenery now has a deserted look.  If the people of this area take up one goal to make the place a tourist place then not only nature will be safe guarded but also huge employment will be generated.

Let’s come one by one to resolve  the hindrance in its development, first the roads which connects Umrangso with other parts , let it be Lanka , Haflong or 8 Mile(Meghalaya) all are in horrible condition. The distance connecting Umrangso with these places are very less but time taken for journey crosses easily 5 hours. Even though lately some initiative taken by Dalmia cement is encouraging but lacks standard to meet the needs. Because of these roads people feel reluctant to visit the wonderful place and witness the scenic beauty. The people along with the support of CEM of Autonomous district need to make the place an attractive one and a package for outing.  If road condition is improved thinking about the future generation, then it can be assured that the first step in development is laid.

Next to the development of roads comes the lodging facilities are to be resolved. With the help of state tourism department, setting up of different categories of guest houses, IB ,few  hotels etc. so that people from far of  places can book/ reserve their stay. In this process many indigenous people who are rich enough can come forward and along with the government they can establish  lodging facilities .

Now let’s come how to solve unemployment problems. Tourists, when in group or in large number will start visiting the places, there will be need of people to guide them and show them different spots. So now the need of GIUDE emerges, and that also will be needed in huge numbers. Guide need to be completely local and the process of selection need to pass through certain well defined criteria. This initiative need to be taken by Govt. along with the local NGOs working over there. Selected Guide need to pass through certain training for weeks or month.

Dimasa, Karbi and other ethnic groups staying in this region  are very much proud of their dresses and costumes that they wear and these are also of great demand outside. Some way of co-operative system need to develop where the people can find a market of their prepared products. Here one thing needs to be mentioned that the raw materials for handicrafts are very costly and it becomes difficult for the poor people of the locality to meet the standard and demand. So in such cases some local groups, government agency , wealthy people of the locality should take up steps in providing raw materials  at a reasonable rate then the process become easy and productive.

                                                          Miyungma Daogan  water falls

      Ø  We need to develop a blue print for tourism

Ø  Other key factors like -Transport and communication,

Ø  Staying facilities(Hotels, Lodge),

Ø  Well defined Visiting spots

Ø  Package for 2 , 3 or more days with online booking process..

If we now bring in front of our eyes different places which are rich in tourism like Mysore, Ooty, Gangtock etc. we find that there is a well defined place for selling the local made products. Here in Dimahasao also people practices different handicraft skill which is bound to be par excellence when compared to other places. A platform needs to be created for them to sell their products. If this is done then number of issues are solved like,- unemployment, selling the traditional products, traditional and cultural exchange with other places etc.

Umrangso is bestowed with natural beauty and richness of this beauty has been given tribute by the people from different places of India , may be the frequency of the visit is less. Places like Panimur and Golf field of Umrangso has been translated into a wonderful sites for film shooting , say it to be Hindi films or local language films or Video films of songs and Dance. The per capita income of the people in this region is very low and if economic development needs to be done then Tourism is the only answer.

All these are the ideas or vision in front of us to make our place noticeable in tourism. But mere speaking, talking or writing won’t fetch anything unless we have a proper planning and finally, execution of that planning. We need to develop a blue print which will help tourists to locate Umrangso easily. Other key factors like - Transport and communication, Staying facilities(Hotels, Lodge), Visiting spots and information regarding traditional food, dress need to be highlighted. Package for 2 , 3 or more days with online booking process and sound advertisement will definitely help in boosting tourism in Umrangso.

                    A few spots for outing…

Ø  Panimur waterfalls

Ø  Miyungma Daogan  water falls

Ø  Golf Field

Ø  Kali Mandir

Ø  Botanical Garden

Ø  NEEPCO

Ø  Eco Village

Ø  3 Km cave

In connection with the steps for development and positivism there is also a  danger which is lurking in this area and that is acidic condition of water. The area near to Meghalaya ie. 3 kilo has huge deposit of Coal, mainly family business or private entrepreneur and the extraction of coal is not at all scientific.   Coal gets mix up with the river water and turns it into acidic water. Some serious planning need to be done to prevent the worst effect from the acidic water, even though this point is different from my topic but it is indirectly linked.

Recently Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Dima Hasao district, shri Debolal Gorlosa took number of initiatives to develop DimaHasao into a tourist place. Hope the people will understand and support him in this venture.

 

If mass awareness and consciousness regarding tourism is developed in this place through different ways like writing, campaign, print and electronic media, then definitely Umrangso will become a shining pearl in North east and it is already a Haven for those who have visited.

 

 

 

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