CM's Promise To Give Official Stamp Of Tourist Spot Gathers Rust
Andro Santhen, a growing hotspot for picnickers
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 26 2013 :
Andro Santhen, better known as Andro Santhen Dam in Imphal East with all its natural beauty and enticing landscape is fast gaining popularity as a picnic hotspot.
Acknowledging its potential, Chief Minister O Ibobi during the last Assembly session declared that Andro Santhen would be given official recognition as a tourist spot and developed accordingly.
However, the State Government has not set any time frame for development of Andro Santhen Dam as a popular tourist spot.
Nevertheless, the park and surrounding areas are being developed albeit in a very small way with money from the MLA Local Area Development Fund and Andro Nagar Panchayat.
Andro Santhen Dam is situated on Nongmaiching hill range just about 500 metres to the West of Andro Khunjao.
On reaching the site, one would come across a large pond which is in itself a sight to behold.
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Ascending the hill range to the West of the pond, another magnificent pond can be seen.
The second pond has small islet right in the middle and the islet is decorated by nature itself with flowers and fruit bearing trees.
The landscape surrounding the park with Nongmaiching hill range in the backdrop is also a refreshing experience.
As of now, the park is being managed by the local club.
Except for digging a few canals, construction of some wooden rest sheds, wooden fence and a wooden main gate, no development work has been initiated to add to the pristine beauty of Andro Santhen and facilitate inflow of tourists.
People coming to Andro Santhen are prohibited from plucking flowers/plants and taking intoxicating substances into the park otherwise all are given freedom to enjoy and rest inside the park for a whole day at a nominal fee.
Number of people coming for picnic or just for a refreshing visit at Andro Santhen Dam has been increasing day by day.
On Sundays and holidays, Andro Santhen plays host to more than a thousand visitors.
Meanwhile local MLA Th Shyamkumar, reminding about the Chief Minister's assurance, urged the concerned authorities to develop Andro Santhen as a proper tourist spot speedily in the interest of tourists and the local people who are hopeful of establishing a flourishing tourism industry out of the nature's gift known as Andro Santhen Dam.