Historic Moran Golf Course Faces Existential Threat from Tea Estate Conversion
The historic Moran Polo Club Golf Course, located adjacent to the Thowra airstrip in Dibrugarh district, Assam, is confronting an existential crisis as the management of Thowra Tea Estate has initiated the conversion of this heritage sporting facility into a tea plantation. This development poses a severe threat to a site officially recognized by the Assam government's tourism department for its significant heritage, sporting, and aviation value.
Immediate Destruction and Urgent Appeals
The tea estate management has already commenced digging and ploughing operations on the golf field to plant tea saplings. In response, Golf Captain of Moran Polo Club, Sachin Singh Rathore, submitted an urgent appeal to Dibrugarh District Commissioner Bikram Kairi on Monday, seeking immediate administrative intervention to halt further destruction of the facility.
Rathore emphasized the historical significance of the site, noting that archival photographs and records confirm its dual use as both a golf course and the Thowra airstrip during the 1950s, when light aircraft utilized the area for landing and take-off.
Recent Restoration Efforts and Community Investment
Following significant damage from digging activities in 2021, the club invested nearly two years of sustained effort and substantial resources to revive the golf course. "Despite severe land constraints, we redesigned the area into a fully functional golf course, restoring training opportunities for local youth and reviving a historic sporting institution," Rathore stated.
He warned that the wider Moran region would lose its only grassroots golf training ground if this course ceases to exist. Beyond its historical importance, the facility plays a vital role in youth development, particularly for children from tea garden communities who have limited access to quality sporting infrastructure.
Broader Developmental Impact and Youth Opportunities
Siddarth Chaliha, Secretary of the Upper Assam Golf Association (UAGA), highlighted the broader developmental impact of the facility. "The association regularly organizes caddie tournaments, identifies talented youth, and provides pathways for coaching and participation in Indian Golf Union events, offering young players tangible opportunities to pursue professional careers," Chaliha explained.
He noted that several former caddies from the region have successfully transitioned into roles as coaches and course managers, demonstrating the facility's role in creating sustainable career pathways.
Community Concerns and Heritage Preservation
The Moran Golf Course Association has formally urged the tea estate management to reconsider its decision, emphasizing the heritage value and developmental importance of the facility. Club members, local youth, and residents have expressed serious concern that any further ploughing or alteration would permanently undo years of restoration work and eliminate opportunities for aspiring young golfers.
"Years of hard work and dedication have gone into reviving this facility. To witness its destruction for commercial purposes is heartbreaking for everyone involved, especially the young caddies who view this as their gateway to a better future," a club member lamented.
The community has collectively urged the district administration to protect the site as both a heritage sporting facility and an important center for youth development, ensuring the preservation of this unique piece of Assam's sporting and aviation history for future generations.
