Trek leaders from Meghalaya begin training in Darjeeling and Uttarakhand
Meghalaya’s State Tourism Minister, Paul Lyngdoh attended a farewell event for the participants of the trek leader training program on 19 September. He motivated the inaugural group of trainees to remain dedicated throughout their training and come back to the state equipped with valuable knowledge.
The event also saw the presence of CVD Diengdoh IAS, who serves as the Director of Meghalaya’s Tourism Department.
This schedule training program involves 120 participants. The training for the first batch takes place from September 20 to 30, 2023, in Darjeeling, with 30 participants. The second and third batches, with a total of 60 participants, are scheduled for September 27 to October 6, 2023, in Uttarakhand and Darjeeling. Lastly, the fourth batch is set for October 3 to 12, 2023, and will also have 30 participants. Participants in the first batch come from various villages, including Pashum, Laitsohum, Diwon, Wahkhen, Laitiam, Nongblai, Mawlyngbna, Lapalang and Mawten.
Minister Paul Lyngdoh highlighted the importance of adventure tourism in Meghalaya. He said they have found 25 trails which had been mapped and identified and hopes to find more in the future. He mentioned that most of these trails have historical or cultural ties. The government has invested time and money in preparing for these journeys, so he urged the participants to use their time wisely during training, stay focused, and come back enriched.
Trek the Himalayas is an agency authorized by Meghalayan Age Limited to find multi-day trekking and hiking trails in Meghalaya. They are a certified member of ATOAI (Adventure Tour Operators Association of India) and organize expeditions to more than 100 Himalayan peaks permitted by the IMF (Indian Mountaineering Foundation). Their team includes members who have completed Basic Mountaineering Course and Advanced Mountaineering Course.
The project’s main goals include creating a comprehensive plan for introducing trekking and hiking activities, with a focus on 25 multi-day trails. Additionally, it seeks to offer hands-on training and exposure trips to local resources.
The introduction of this project is important for promoting adventure tourism in the state. This effort shows the government’s commitment to using Meghalaya’s natural beauty and culture to attract tourists. With organizations like ‘Trek the Himalayas’ helping out, Meghalaya’s tourism is on the rise, benefiting both tourists and locals.
