Meghalaya tourism stakeholders seek statewide ban on roadside cooking to push responsible tourism
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The Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum suggested that the government work with local communities to develop designated picnic and cooking areas equipped with waste management systems. Such managed spaces, it said, would improve visitor experience while creating livelihood opportunities for local residents.
The Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum (MRTF) has urged the Meghalaya government to introduce a statewide ban on roadside and open-space cooking by tourists, saying the practice is contributing to littering, environmental degradation and an unsustainable tourism model.
Speaking after a meeting with the state's Tourism Minister, Timothy D. Shira, MRTF representatives said the discussions focused on improving cleanliness at tourist destinations and addressing concerns raised by tourism stakeholders over the growing impact of waste and litter at popular sites, a local news agency quoted.
The Forum said the minister acknowledged the issue and assured stakeholders that it would be taken up on priority.
According to the Forum, Meghalaya should focus on attracting responsible, high-value visitors rather than increasing tourist numbers at the cost of the environment. The representatives argued that tourists who bring their own food, cook at roadsides and picnic spots, and leave behind waste contribute little to the local economy while placing additional pressure on the state's fragile ecosystems.
"The objective is not to discourage tourism but to encourage responsible tourism. We want visitors who spend locally, benefit communities and respect the environment," the MRTF spokesperson said.
MRTF proposed a complete ban on open-space and roadside cooking, citing Goa as an example where restrictions have helped protect tourist destinations. It called on the state government to issue a formal notification prohibiting such activities across Meghalaya.
The Forum also suggested that the government work with local communities to develop designated picnic and cooking areas equipped with waste management systems, fireplaces and basic facilities. Such managed spaces, it said, would improve visitor experience while creating livelihood opportunities for local residents.
The stakeholders stressed that regulating roadside cooking and improving waste management would help preserve Meghalaya's natural attractions, protect its carrying capacity and strengthen the state's position as a sustainable tourism destination.
(Source: Shillong Times)
