Meghalaya: Elephant Falls, Ward's Lake & Lum Nehru Park to reopen from Sep 1

Guwahati: In a move that is expected to give some much-needed push to the tourism sector that has been battered by the coronavirus pandemic, the Government of Meghalaya has decided to re-open the Ward's Lake, Lum Nehru Park, and Elephant Falls from September 1 onwards.

"Government has decided to re-open Ward's Lake, Lum Nehru Park & Elephant Falls from 1st September 2020 for local tourism in accordance with health protocols and SOPs laid down by the Govt," the state's Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma wrote tweeting about the development.

This announcement has been made at a time when the state's lucrative tourism sector which is one of the mainstays of the economy, has been badly clobbered by the coronavirus induced lockdown that has been in effect since March 25 of this year.

The 3 tourism hotspots that will now be reopened are among the state's finest attracting and witness heavy footfall around the year. Thus, the government seems to have its hopes pinned its hopes on these once again filling up the government coffers like pre-Covid times.

Meghalaya, in a bid to prevent an outbreak, has halted the tourism activities and stepped up vigilance along the borders. Additionally, the government will also shut the entry points for 1 week every month as coronavirus cases continue to surge.

Meanwhile, Seventy-three more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya on Friday, taking the northeastern state''s tally to 2,202, Health Services Director Aman War said.

Of the new cases, 35 were reported from East Khasi, 32 from East Garo, three from North Garo, two from East Jaintia and one from West Khasi hills districts, War informed.

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