Nazirating-Tamuli under Digboi constituency is a place pregnant with tourism potential. The constituency MLA Suren Phukan, since his childhood, had a fascination for the place. Once he became its MLA, he took it upon himself to convert a place known for picnickers to a place with tourism potential. In 1901 when the Britishers had established Asia’s first oil refinery. To ensure potable water, they set up a water supply project in Nazirating, some 14 km away from Digboi.
The local MLA has been working to strengthen the rural economy of the area since 2019 with the help of enterprising local youths. His is a constituency dominated by the Morans, a tribal community in upper Assam. Since then, he has taken several steps to bring the area to the notice of the outside world. Papu Gogoi, a young man, says, “Last year, the MLA cooperated with us to clean the river by digging it. He has undertaken several measures to beautify Nazirating in the last couple of years. We have set-up a few cottages and homestays besides a Rang Mancha. The MLA has taken steps to improve road connectivity.”
Just a kilometre away from Nazirating is a village full of forest. Set up in 1965, this village called Tamuli Nagar is being identified by the locals with tourism potential. At the initiative of the MLA, a three-day Nazirating-Tamuli Nagar Festival beginning January 1 each year is now being organised by the locals since 2021.
“The festival was launched to boost the rural economy in my constituency. Around 100 self-help groups on an average participate in the festival to sell their produce. Besides, Moran Bihu, Tai Bihu, Jhumur, Singpho Nepali dances are performed by dedicated artistes. Last year, we had five lakh people on the last day of the festival,” he informs Asom Barta. “We are looking at some value-added initiatives in and around this area, especially related to wildlife because the area has a lot of wildlife species.”
He informs this reporter that he has made partial use of MLA fund in taking this initiative while some of the fundings have come from his personal initiative and other from well-wishers.
