NONGKHNUM ISLAND, Dec 8 – Majuli the world’s largest River Island would soon get a contender, with the Meghalaya government putting in serious effort to officially recognize Nongkhnum as the second largest River Island.
The Island was accidentally discovered by a group of local school students in 1996 during a project work. Ever since, the state government is doing its bit to promote the picturesque Island as a tourist destination. The Island is on Kynshai River in West Khasi Hills district and is 130 kms from the state capital.
Although people consider the Island as the second largest in Asia, an official survey to ascertain its area is due. “Survey would be carried out soon,” Extra Assistant Commissioner Donny Wahlang said during a three-day tourism festival, dubbed “Unveiling the West”.
Interestingly the Island is owned by four brothers of the Nongsiej clan. The brothers are agriculturists and sometimes double up as boatmen. One of the brothers seen ferrying people across the island said, he was happy with tourists coming to his Island home.
Just five houses of the brothers make the entire population of the Island. Vast tracts of the Island still remain to be discovered till date. However, adding to the Island’s charm are three waterfalls cascading from three different locations.
The three giant waterfalls - Thum, Wenia and Langshaing - have a perennial flow of water unlike other waterfalls in the state which dries up during winter. Wahlang said apart from the excitement that Nongkhnum could well be the second largest Island after Majuli the natural beauty of the Island value adds its marketability as a major tourism spot.
Priority is being given to develop roads and infrastructure near the Island. A guest house would be constructed soon, said Wahlang. Emphasis would be given to adventure and eco-tourism in the Island after a detail project report to develop tourism in the entire district is chalked out, he added.
