Menchukha in Arunachal Pradesh ready for Adventure fest

The very sight of Menchukha (men meaning medicine, chu-water and kha-snow) justified its name while the hilly township wore refurbished look for the three-day maiden Adventure Festival of Arunachal Pradesh beginning here tomorrow.

As the media team reached the venue along India-China border in West Siang District after a tedious journey along the serpentine road developed by the BRO from Aalo on Wednesday, the tiredness was gone in seconds as every media person with his or her camera went on clicking the snow-capped mountains, poster-perfect mesmerising sceneries.

"It is champion's ground and most suitable for cross country para gliding," Tourism Parliamentary Secretary P D Sona quoted Sikkim Paragliding Association general secretary Chandra Prakash Pradhan and organizer of the para gliding segment, Lobsang Phuntsok, who did the trial on Sunday.

Power propelled gliders, micro light gliders, aero modelling, trap shooting, para gliding, mountain biking, rappelling, river crossing, rafting and trekking would be a regular feature, but punctuated with number of entertaining programmes for the tourists.

The melodious voice of Indian Idol-4 Sourabhee Debabarma and Indian Idol super star Amit Paul would echo the hills on the inaugural and valedictory day.

Sona added that local cuisines, traditional handicrafts and attires which will be on display in the fair, to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Arunachal Pradesh for the tourists to enjoy and go back home with fond memories.

For the last two days there has been a steady flow of tourists headed for Menchukha.

Tourism Minister Pema Khandu inaugurated the 18-room tourist lodge, Choe-Ten (a stupa built in the memory of former chief minister, late Dorjee Khandu) here, and the trek route at Yarlung to Passang Sonam Tso (Lake).

However, after inspecting the PMGSY road from Menchukha HQ to Lhalung village executed by the agency, Khandu, who is also RWD Minister, directed the RWD department to strictly adhere to the guidelines while constructing the road.