The Seri-Tourism Model Farming Centre in Khensa village has added a new feature — a swimming pool — nearly a year after its official launch in August 2024. The addition was quietly inaugurated today, June 27, in the presence of the proprietor’s family and a few close well-wishers.
The centre, an initiative blending sericulture with rural tourism, was officially inaugurated by Imkongmar Longkumer, Advisor for Sericulture & Minority Affairs, on August 10, 2024. It is funded under the NEC 2023–2024 schemes.
Speaking to MT, proprietor Imtikumzuk Longchar said the new pool came up gradually. The facility, he added, will be made available to visitors on an hourly charge basis.
Recalling how the project began, Longchar said he had initially planned to use the land as a kitchen garden, but slowly transformed it into a fishing pond. He later planned to have a futsal turf, and eventually the swimming pool. But it was during this phase that the Department of Sericulture reached out to him with an offer to support the initiative further.
“They offered to build four houses as part of the project and also provided castor seeds, machinery for rearing eri silkworms, and machineries for yarning and spinning,” he said.
A total of 30,000 eri silkworms were provided under the initiative. So far, Longchar has managed to produce around 500 to 600 bottles of 200 ml Castor oil.
The centre currently employs five people, including family members and two individual workers who help manage the farm and its operations.
The facility offers rooms for rent, tent accommodation with pillows, and boating for leisure, and charges an entry fee of Rs 50. Longchar said he also hopes to rent out the space for weddings and private events in the future.
Since its opening, the centre has seen visitors from across Mokokchung and beyond, including from Zunheboto, Longkhim, and even Meghalaya.