Leihsang Hiden, Phumnompat to attract tourists soon
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 25 2018:
Steps will be taken up to attract tourists at the historic Leishang Hiden and Waithou Phumnompat.
People will soon be able to enjoy boat riding at these sites, said MLA Lourembam Rameshwor Meetei.
The MLA was inspecting ongoing works at the two tourist destinations today, along with Tourism Director W Ibobi.
Small boats will be inducted at these sites, he said and added that fast food stalls and cafeterias will also be installed to boost tourism and income generation of the locals.
It may be noted that Leishang Hiden Protection and Development Authority (LHPDA) has been cleaning and revamping Leishang Hiden, just opposite to the Manipur University main gate along NH-39, with aim to develop the water body as a tourist destination.
Stating that there will be boat riding facility on all days a week, the MLA, a patron of the LHPDA, during his inspection informed that there is a special plan to allow people to enjoy boat ride at Leishang Hiden at night on Saturday and Sunday every week.
Stating that Leishang Hiden will be a made an eco-friendly tourist destination, the MLA said developing the water body, which stretched from north of MU main gate to Lilong bridge, will also provide jobs to local youths.
LHPDA's president LC Romesh said that the water body was in worst of the condition for years as it was reduced to a waste dumping site by the locals.
Deeply concerned with deteriorating condition of the Leishang Hiden, LHPDA was established in 2013 by locals of Kyamgei, Thongju and Langthabal to protect the historic water body.
The ongoing project of the LHPDA will not only clean the water body but also attract people, he said.
The cleaning works of the water body was started from August 16 and will continue till September 16, he informed.
Speaking to media persons, Director of Tourism W Ibobi said that the Tourism Dept has been taking up schemes to protect and preserve the water body.
Under a scheme (2014-15), the department has constructed a cafeteria, parking and a toilet complex at the site.
All works under the scheme are near completion and will be inaugurated soon, he said.
The Director conveyed that the department will forward a plan and an estimate of the planned induction of boats in the water body to the Government.
Later, the MLA and Tourism Director visited the Tourist Lodge at Waithou Phumnompat.
At Phumnompat, the MLA informed that boats will be inducted in the lake from September 30 with assistance of the locals of Waithou, Chiru, Thiyam and Saman.
"One could see Waithoupat, Phumnompat and Cheksabi pat from the lodge.
This scenic view plus the boat-ride facility will attract tourists," he said.
On the sideline of the inspection, Director Tourism Department W Ibobi said that the department, under the Union Tourism Ministry's Spiritual Circuit project, is working on development of Govindaji Temple, Bijoy Govindaji, Gopinath and Kaina as spiritual tourist destinations by October this year.
Works at Nnney, Thangal cave, Koubru Leikha and Pumkshoubi will also be completed soon, he added.
Comment
