NE has its amusement parks too

Tourism &Travel Column Vol. 3 Issue No. 33

August 16-31, 2007

NE has its amusement parks too

Hit by insurgency for years, the fun-loving people of the North-East have their own quota of excitement too with infotainment and amusement parks and coming days may see the number going up.

The seven North-Eeastern states, plagued by militancy, have not been able to attract tourists to enjoy the region’s unique natural beauty, while the population itself has limited resources of entertainment.

Gateway to the North East, Assam boasts of several tourist destinations with potential to attract domestic and foreign tourists. The State has 60 places of interest for tourists which includes 12 wildlife parks and 16 amusement parks.

According to officials, on an average 30,000 tourists visit these places. The figure includes around 2,000 foreign tourists.

Investment by government in the amusement sector is roughly around Rs 200 crore annually while the private operators contribute Rs 40 crore.

Assam, the largest State population-wise, has sixteen amusement centres in capital Guwahati and the visitors to these places have been increasing every year.

Foremost among them is the Accoland Amusement Park, which is by far the largest private sector investment in the tourism sector in the region. The theme park includes many thrills and family and children rides and water park which draws large crowds.

Gautam Bhattacharya of the park says “at a time when the family bond is weakening due to pressure of work, we have brought friends and families together in our park”. Entry is free for the physically challenged, he says.

Some more amusement parks are in the pipeline, he further adds.

The Alfresco luxury cruise on the majestic Brahmaputra river is another star attraction and an evening on the luxury cruise vessel-cum-restaurant is a thrilling experience.

The Kalakshetra children’s park attracts the kids with its rides and the sound and light show while the Sunshine island resort and the Rukmini island resort provides a good place for relaxing during weekends.

Then the Rangghar amusement centre and the Tepesia Velodrome recreation park offers the visitor games facilities like bowling and use of cycling velodrome and archery range respectively.

Arunachal Pradesh, the biggest state area-wise, boasts of Tawang, located in the icy heights which is a nature lover’s paradise.

Meghalaya, known as the Scotland of the North East, has the historic Ward Lake at the heart of capital Shillong while the Umiam lake provides fun to the water sports enthusiasts.

The Ri-Kynjai resort, a place for the upwardly mobile has excellent recreation facilities for discerning tourists while the kids love the Lady Hydari Park for its mini-zoo which houses indigenous animals.

Mizoram has its Tam Dil and Ri Dil where there are boating facilities while the Rayek Model village provides valuable insights on the way of life of the indigenous people.

Nagland has Mount Saramati and Mount Japfo peaks which are used by trekkers and mountaineers while in Tripura a visitor could visit the Sipahijhala wildlife park which also offers excellent boating and trekking facilities.

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