Written by: Betsy Babu

Union minister of State for Culture and Tourism (independent charge) Prahlad Singh Patel on Tuesday, 4th August 2020 virtually inaugurated Mizoram’s first state-of-the-art golf course and resort at Thenzawl in Serchhip district, about 90 km from Aizawl.

Mr Patel inaugurated the golf course through a video conference from New Delhi. The inaugural function at Aizawl was attended by Mizoram tourism minister Robert Romawia Royte, Lok Sabha MP C. Lalrosanga, Agriculture Development Board vice chairman and MLA H.Biakzaua, Sports, Youth Affairs and Tourism board vice chairman T.C. Pachhunga and top tourism officials.

Speaking on the occasion, Patel lauded Mizoram as one of the most beautiful states in the country that has a rich biological hotspot and land for tourist attraction. He said the hilly northeastern state with its strategic location is one of the most important states in the country which is successfully implementing India’s Act East policy.

The project is developed under Swadesh Darshan scheme’s ‘Integrated Development of New Ecotourism’ with a sanctioned amount of 92.25 crore INR out of which 64.48 crore INR has been allocated for various components including the golf course at Thenzawl in Mizoram.

The golf course is designed by Graham Cooke and Associates, one of the top-ranked Canada-based golf course architectural firms.

Key features:

• The total site area of 105 acres and play space of 75 acres.
• An18 hole golf course with sharing fairway and automated sprinkler irrigation system by Rain Bird, US.
• It is designed to have facilities of international standards.
• 30 eco-log huts, a cafeteria, open-air food court, reception area and a waiting lounge, all constructed with Siberian pinewood and is fully furnished with world class furniture and fixtures.
• Quality golfing experience at a fair price.

The minister also assured that project funds would not be delayed due to the epidemic. Patel asked Mizoram to prepare itself for the tourism industry post-COVID-19. While expressing happiness for the grade B certified golf course, state tourism minister Robert Romawia Royte hailed it as an important step towards development. He said Mizoram is now among few Indian states that has world-class golf resorts. Royte said the newly-inaugurated golf course and resort will generate employment for nearby villages and will promote tourism in the state.

Zomuana, a golfer, said the project is a milestone for Mizoram. He said the golf course and resort can be a boon for tourism development if airport and road communication are upgraded.

Currently, India boasts over 220 golf courses. With this new project, the tourism ministry of India aims to promote golf tourism as a niche product for attracting both international and domestic tourists.