Chief Minister Pu Lal Thanhawla yesterday laid the foundation stone of Mizoram biggest tourism project 'Integrated Development of New Eco-Tourism' at Thenzawl Community Hall. Under the project, an 18 hole international standard Golf Course and a modern Convention Centre at Thenzawl; an eco-tourism resort Eco Lodge Cottage Cluster at South Zote and adventure facilities such as Rapelling, Body Zorbing, Zip Line, Rope Course and Archery arena at Reiek will set up in these locations.

At the inauguration function of the foundation stone laying ceremony held yesterday at the Thenzawl Community Hall, Pu Lal Thanhawla pointed that Thenzawl and adjoining areas have natural scenic beauty, Mizoram's highest waterfall - Vantawng Waterfalls, another interesting waterfall - Tuirihau and other historical and cultural sites linked to Mizoram's culture and history. Besides these, Thenzawl is also the state's largest handloom centre, he added. These factors, he remarked are huge potentials that can help market these locales amongst foreign and domestic tourists and can make Thenzawl an ideal and favoured tourist destination. He called upon the residents of Thenzawl to protect these natural and cultural heritages in their natural settings. He stressed on the need for people to have a broader and wider outlook to welcome and embrace changes which will be brought about by opening of the area for tourism development.

Tourism Minister Pu John Rotluangliana who was also present on the occasion said Thenzawl was fortunate to get such a big project and requested the people to provide support and work towards making the project a success story, one which Mizoram can be proud of.

Pi Lal Riliani, Chief Minister's wife; Parliamentary Secretary Pu TT Zothansanga; Rajya Sabha MP Pu Ronald Sapa Tlau and senior officials of the Tourism Department were also graced the function.

This project worth 94 crores will be funded by the central government under the new tourism policy Swadesh Darshan under the North East Circuit.

Thenzawl is a town midway between the capital Aizawl and Lunglei, the second largest urban habitation. It is blessed with scenic beauty and a congenial climate all year round. South Zote is around 15 kilometres from Thenzawl while Reiek, another centre of this project is about an hour's drive from Aizawl located atop a hill.