SOHRA, MEGHALAYA: Hours after the 5th Sohra Marathon, visitors to Nohsngithiang View Point—one of Meghalaya’s premier tourist spots overlooking the Seven Sisters Falls—were met with discarded plastic waste, snack wrappers, and marathon-branded packaging scattered across the area.
Locals say this is a recurring problem whenever large-scale events take place, despite the usual diligence of volunteers and village communities in keeping the area clean.
Residents expressed frustration, noting that on ordinary days the site remains spotless, but major events leave behind a lasting mess.
“Every time, it is the organizers who eventually have to clean it,” said one local, recalling past incidents when post-event rain scattered trash even further along the roads.
The Sohra Marathon, now a celebrated fitness event attracting runners and visitors from across India, is meant to champion health and the beauty of Meghalaya’s landscape.
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Yet, the litter left behind at such an iconic viewpoint raises questions about the civic sense of participants and visitors.
While organizers can provide waste management and clean-up, the responsibility ultimately lies with every individual attending.
The incident underscores a wider challenge for Meghalaya’s tourist hotspots: balancing rising visitor numbers with responsible tourism and environmental stewardship.
As events and tourism continue to grow, true respect for nature must be measured not just in participation, but in the care taken to preserve these pristine locations.
(4FrontMedia news)
