Switzerland of the Northeast
Dima Hasao, nicknamed Switzerland of the Northeast, is now looking to capitalise its scenic beauty to attract tourists and develop it as the ‘cleanest district’ of India. This hill district of Assam, which was once known for its dreaded militancy, is trying to place itself as one of the most peaceful and exotic tourist locations of the region, officials of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC).
As part of its endeavour, the council, which governs Dima Hasao, published a draft tourism policy, which plans to develop five different circuits for travellers, on the occasion of World Toursim Day. Dima Hasao is well-connected with the rest of Assam and the country by road and railway network. A railway division was established at Haflong in 1895 and in February 1904, the construction of the 184.16 km track was completed between Lumding and Badarpur with 37 tunnels, of which 35 were in present day Dima Hasao, earlier called North Cachar Hills district.
Also Read – Why Is Assam Called As Blue Hills
Nine towns of Assam secured rankings in the Northeast Zone Category of Swachh Survekshan-2021. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs announced the ranks on Saturday. Swachh Survekshan 2021 Ranking List: The ranking of the nine Assam towns is – Tezpur as the cleanest city, Jorhat as the best self-sustainable city, Bongaigaon as the best city in innovation, Tinsukia as the fastest mover city, Golaghat as the cleanest city, Haflong as a fastest moving to a new city, Hailakandi as the best city in innovation and Lakhipur as the best self-sustainable city. All the 96 urban local bodies of the state have actively participated in this cleanliness survey for sustaining the gains made under Swachh Bharat Mission— Urban.
As per the information available on Ministry of Housing and Urban affairs, Swachh Survekshan is an annual survey of cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation in cities and towns across India. It was launched as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, which aimed to make India clean and free of open defecation by 2nd October 2019. The first survey was undertaken in 2016 and covered 73 cities; by 2020 the survey had grown to cover 4242 cities and was said to be the largest cleanliness survey in the world.
Also Read – Why is Tezpur famous for?
From Assam, a total of 96 Urban Local Bodies have actively participated in this cleanliness survey for sustaining the gains made under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U). Golaghat in upper Assam has been adjudged the cleanest city in the northeaset in the 25,000 to 50,000 population group. On the other hand, lower Assam’s Bongaigaon is the best city in innovation and practices in the 50,000 to 1 lakh population group. Kokrajhar in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region got awarded as the best self-sustainable city (25,000 to 50,000 population group) in the northeast. The fastest mover city in NE (50,000 to 1 lakh population) is Tinsukia.
The 9 (Nine) towns of Assam which have been able to secure a rank in the Northeast Zone Category in 𝐒𝐰𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐡 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐧–𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏 are as follows:
| 1. | Tezpur | : Cleanest City, 50K – 1 Lakh Population |
| 2. | Jorhat | : Best Self-Sustainable City, 50K – 1 Lakh Population |
| 3. | Bongaigaon | : Best City in Innovation & Best Practices, 50K – 1 Lakh Population |
| 4. | Tinsukia | : Fastest Mover City, 50K – 1 Lakh Population |
| 5. | Kokrajhar | : Best Self-Sustainable City, 25K – 50K Population |
| 6. | Golaghat | : Cleanest City, 25k – 50K Population |
| 7. | Haflong | : Fastest Mover City, 25K – 50K Population |
| 8. | Hailakandi | : Best City in Innovation & Best Practices, 25K – 50K Population |
| 9. | Lakhipur (Cachar) | : Best Self-Sustainable City, Below 25K Population |
It may be mentioned that this is a significant achievement for the state that 3 times in a row the ULBs of Assam have been able to secure ranks in Swachh Survekshan and the credit goes to the ULB authorities, citizens, Mission Directorate and the Department of Housing & Urban Affairs, Assam. Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, Assam, has made a significant change in the areas of both sanitation and Solid Waste Management. The construction of Individual Household Latrine and Community/Public Toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, Assam has played a significant role in achieving the status of Open Defecation State and also in Swachh Survekshan awards.
FAQ
Which is known as Switzerland of North East?
Dima Hasao is known as Switzerland of North East
Which state is known as Switzerland of Northeast India?
Assam is known as Switzerland of Northeast India
Which is known as Switzerland of Assam?
Dima Hasao is known as Switzerland of Assam
Which city is called Switzerland of East?
Dima Hasao is called Switzerland of East