SHILLONG : Tourists visiting Sohra will no longer be allowed to cook along roadsides, viewpoints or other public places after the local administration imposed an immediate ban to tackle increasing litter and reduce the risk of accidental forest fires.
The order, issued by Sohra Sub-Divisional Magistrate Mark A. Challam under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), came into force on Monday and covers the entire Sohra Civil Sub-Division.
The administration said roadside cooking has become increasingly common, particularly along the Shillong-Sohra-Shella Road, where visitors frequently stop to prepare meals using LPG cylinders, charcoal stoves, kerosene burners and firewood.
Officials said many of these locations are left covered with plastic bottles, disposable plates, food waste and other garbage after tourists leave, affecting the area’s natural beauty and creating additional environmental problems.
Authorities also warned that cooking with open flames near forests and roadside vegetation poses a serious fire risk, especially during the dry season. A single unattended flame, they said, could trigger a wildfire capable of damaging forests, nearby property and even endangering lives.
Under the order, cooking, lighting fires and using LPG cylinders, charcoal stoves, barbeque grills, kerosene stoves or firewood are prohibited in roadside areas, parking spaces, viewpoints, forest stretches and other public places across the sub-division.
However, the restrictions will not apply to approved picnic sites or locations authorised by the competent authority or the respective Dorbar Shnong, provided proper waste disposal facilities and fire safety arrangements are in place.
The administration has also prohibited littering in public places, directing visitors to dispose of waste only at designated collection points. Police, Executive Magistrates, Forest officials, Tourism authorities, the Public Works Department and Dorbar Shnongs have been instructed to ensure strict enforcement of the order
Also, Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum (MRTF) chairman Alan West Kharkongor welcomed the decision, saying Sohra’s landscape and fragile ecosystem need stronger protection from irresponsible tourist behaviour. ” Responsible tourism begins with respecting local rules and protecting the environment,” Kharkongor said.
He expressed hope that the restrictions would encourage cleaner travel practices and help preserve Sohra’s natural beauty for future visitors.