Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 5
Tucked away behind Japfu range, Dzukou valley attracts thousands of visitors each year. The pristine valley remains a desired travel destination for many people. But tourism doesn’t only involve traveling activities. Tourism also demands goods and services for people with a balance. And with this in mind, the government of Nagaland has gone ahead with the construction of a helipad in the valley, which has come under disagreement with some citizens.
With clearance from the Southern Angami Peoples’ Organization, the department of Tourism has started earth clearance for construction of the helipad. The work which started five months ago inside the valley is nothing like it is portrayed to be, a top officer in the Tourism department said. With the plan and order coming from ‘above,’ the department said it is going ahead with the proposed construction. Not wanting to react to the news feature which appeared in local dailies, the officer, nonetheless, informed that a little space has been created for the helipad which will be used for ‘critical purpose.’
‘We have visiting dignitaries who sometimes wish to take a sight of Dzukou valley but do not have sufficient time for trekking. It is on such occasions choppers will be used,” the officer said. He said that the chopper facility will also benefit aged people who cannot use the trek routes; implying, the public can avail chopper facilities to the valley. The government is looking at it from the point of view of enhancing tourism facilities rather than disturbing the valley, the officer added.
The idea is also not to have regular charters but will be used only when required, thus brushing aside doubts and apprehensions surrounding the helipad project.
Although the helipad project is not directly that of the tourism department, it will, however, be used exclusively for tourism purposes. Purposed to cater to a segment of people and at the same enhance tourism infrastructure in the state, the helipad project, even so, has made a hit on the networking site Facebook to ‘save Dzukou valley;’ something the government might want to ponder upon.
