Shergaon: Garung Thuk, a Shergaon-based NGO known for its grassroots efforts in community development and rural tourism promotion, recently organized a three-day exposure tour for eight Self Help Groups (SHGs) from Tawang on sustainable rural tourism in West Kameng district.
A team of 14 women visited the picturesque village of Shergaon, which was awarded the ‘Best Tourism Village of India 2023’ in the Silver Category.
The participating SHGs included Tanka Tham Gonpa from Sakyur Village, Kharsoot Mandung from Kharsoot Village, Zurchung from Lungla Village, Pema Mento from Lungla Village, Aama Tsokpa from Manpat Village, Pallung from Mangnam Village, Lhasangey from Mangam Village, and Moyu Gonpa from Mayu Village.
The visit aimed to help the SGHs learn from Shergaon’s experience in sustainable rural tourism and replicate similar practices in the villages of Tawang’s Lungla circle.
The participants attended a one-day classroom session for orientation on sustainable rural tourism and Sherdukpen culture. Interactive sessions allowed them to learn about the local people and their way of life.
The next two days included field visits to the Granjo Project, a cherry blossom plantation project by the Jigaon-based NGO Zgang Depga, the weaving centre of Seinthuk Women SHG, Lagyala Gompa, Morshing Village heritage walk, Tanpe Droima Museum, Taklung Gompa and Yokmuzor Buddha Park.
The visitors also received firsthand demonstrations on home stay management at Red Berry River View Homestay owned by Pentang Thungon and her daughter Tsomu Thungon. They also learned about making rhododendron wine and juice.
Garung Thuk chairman Ledo Thungon expressed gratitude to all SHGs of Lunga area for choosing Shergaon as the destination for the exposure visit and promised to guide the women in emulating good practices in the future.
Pem Dokar, president of Lungla PLF, also expressed gratitude towards the organizers and expressed her willingness to work towards the development of sustainable rural tourism in Lunga.
Also read: Meghalaya villagers visit Shergaon for rural tourism insights
