Villagers in the Garo hills area of India's Meghalaya state where is close to the borders with Bangladesh and Bhutan claimed that they saw “bigfoot”-type hairy giants “Mande Burung” — or Jungle Man roaming the remote jungles of Northeast India. Taking it serious, the authories are now investigating if the so-called hairy, ape-like and “at least eight feet tall” mysterious monsters are existing or not and hoping the mysterious creature can boost the local tourism. Excerpts from Khaleej & Javno:
“A team of wildlife officials and other experts will conduct a study to find out if there is any truth in the locals’ claims about these hairy giants,” said Samphat Kumar, a district magistrate in the West Garo Hills district.
"Since 1997, we have been documenting Mande Burung sightings and telltale signs such as giant footprints," Dipu N. Marak of A'chik Tourism Society, an adventure tourism group, told the Hindustan Times.
"Mande Burung", the beast's local name, is all set to become the mascot for a sprawling 800 sq km (308 sq mile) biosphere reserve where the group is planning "Chase-the-Monster" tours through rainforests, waterfalls and stalactite caves.
"They are doing a good job. We support them," said state tourism official K.M. Momin.
The monster hunt has led to the discovery of caves and waterfalls such as the 1,085-metre (3,560-ft) high "Staircase Falls", and the Kekengkhol stalactite-stalagmite caves which could be the longest in South Asia, a tour operator said.