The Rangghar in Sivasagar district. File picture

Jorhat, Aug. 7: The Sivasagar district administration is starting a unique initiative to turn the historical town into a major a tourist destination à la Jaipur, India’s pink city.

Only this town — once the capital of the Ahom kingdom — will be painted in shade of reddish yellow — the colour used by the Ahoms to paint all their buildings. The colour — created from tree bark extracts and called hengul haital — is still visible on historical monuments like the Rangghar in the town.

Sivasagar deputy commissioner S.S. Meenakshi Sundaram told The Telegraph today that the scheme to promote the Upper Assam town as a key tourist destination was a part of a broad-based initiative, Mission Green Sivasagar, under which several participatory services would be undertaken to promote sustainable development.

He said a series of activities would be undertaken by involving the residents to give the district a makeover. The aim is to ensure that tourists find it clean and witness systematic traffic so that they can take home fond memories. The plan will have various components, including protection of the historical legacy, conservation of nature, mitigation of pollution, propagation of afforestation, awareness generation and cleanliness promotion.

“We want Sivasagar district to be known as the Hengul Haital district — a brand that should help develop it as a tourist hotspot. First, we want to give a special identity to the town by painting all houses hengul haital like the monuments to showcase the grand historical past,” the deputy commissioner said.

Sundaram said Jaipur’s “Pink City” image had succeeded in establishing it as a major tourist spot and the same could be done in case of Sivasagar. He said initially, all government offices in the district, starting with his office, would be painted and gradually, people’s houses and markets would follow suit through a participatory initiative.

He said a proposal would be sent to the Centre to include Sivasagar’s monuments in the government’s Incredible India campaign and another would be sent to the Archaeological Survey of India, requesting better upkeep of the historical sites in the district.

Sundaram said a proposal requesting five buses for conducted tours along with development of the local hospitality sector would also be submitted to the tourism department. The plan is to tie up with tour operators and introduce different classes of service to tourists — from premium to budget.

Apart from the largest amphitheatre in Asia, Rangghar, the town boasts of three large tanks build by the monarchy — Sivasagar, Joysagar and Gaurisagar, each having a large doul (temple) — along with palaces Talatal Ghar and Kareng Ghar.

Talatal Ghar has identical doors and windows and an underground escape route connected to a river. This secret route was meant for use by the royalty to flee in the event of an enemy attack on the capital.

Charaideo, the first capital of the Ahoms and about 30km from Sivasagar, has the famous royal maidam (burial ground) having tomb vaults resembling the famous pyramids of Egypt.

Sundaram said the chief guest would be announcing the plan during the upcoming Independence Day celebrations.

Moreover, a marathon, Run Sivasagar Run, led by Arjuna awardee Bhogeswar Baruah, is being organised to popularise the concept and involve local residents. A logo will also be adopted and extensively used in all activities to create an identity for the campaign.

Sundaram said an advertisement would be issued soon announcing a logo design contest, the winner of which would be selected by a panel appointed by him.