Mawlynnong- Asia’s cleanest village

Mawlynnong (Mao-le-nong) is a little village in the east Khasi hills in Meghalaya. For the last several years, it has emerged as the state’s hottest tourist destination. Tourists making a beeline for the village call it God’s own garden.

How to reach

Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya, one of the smallest state in India. It is also known as the Scotland of the east. Shillong is said to be the second largest hill station in the world after Brasillia.

There are many places which lure the tourist but the latest one to catch the headline is Mawlynnong (Mao-le-nong) village. It is around 90 KM from Shillong. One can take a cab and ride through the lash greenery of the hills. 

Mawlynnong village

“Mawlynnong came to limelight in the year 2003 and 2004 when proper roads were built connecting the village to Shillong,” said Rishot Khongthohrem, a teacher at Mawlynnong

Recognition

The village has been anointed the cleanest in Asia. The recognition first came from National Geographic in 2004 and then UNESCO endorsed it in 2006.

The village consists of 87 families with the population of around 480 and almost all of them are literate.  They don’t spit or litter the village. Use of plastic bags and smoking are prohibited in this village. The dictum Keep the village clean has become a genetic trait among the residents and this dictum has been handed down from their forefathers.

Dustbin! Awaits you

“Cleanliness begins first from home and then developed at school. Church also plays a major role. We were never allowed to throw any garbage on the road like the papers, plastic etc. All the villagers love flower. Since childhood we are asked not damage flowers. So now we can see flowers all around the village. Even little children never pluck flowers while walking on the road or the footpath,” said Rishot Khongthohrem.

Blooming Mawlynnong

“Truly this is a lovely place. Every house has a small courtyard with flowers blooming in their prime. Some of these flowers are very rare. So the magazine was right; it’s really a beautiful place with cooperating people,” said Tribhuwan Prakash Jalan, a tourist.

Pitcher flower

Cleaning starts early in the morning. Children with a broom and bamboo basket carry out their responsibility with a smile.  Most of the wastes are organic and they are stored in a pit for composting.

Children at morning devotion

“The village is beautiful and the children are well mannered. There is no litter and dustbins are kept everywhere. There are proper toilets and parking lots. These impressed me very much,” said Usahan Mukherjee, a tourist.

“I would like to live in this kind of environment. In a city you open your eyes and smoke, noise and garbage are the first things you see. But here it is really calm and pleasant. This is also part of human welfare,” said Mario Shadop another tourist.

Economic

Their main source of income depends on broom, beetle nut and fruits like orange, pineapple, litchi and jackfruits. 

 Seasonal fruits

The visitors donate some money as a token of appreciation which is indeed used for the development of the village.

The peak season is between October and the April when the village gets around Rs.3000/- a day from delighted tourists. During the off season they get Rs. 700 to Rs.1000/- a day.

After the coming of tourists the villagers have opened hotels and shops to sell their own products. Now the household income of the village has gone up by 70% to 100%.

 Local beetle nut and leaves 

Education and Health Care

The village has two lower primary schools and one upper primary school. There is no health care center in the village. They have to go to a nearby town or Shillong for their health check up.

However they still believe in and practice natural healing.

Rishot enriching the students

“There are many kinds of local herbs that we used to for different sickness.  I never fall sick since 30 years as I rely on this,” said Rishot Khongthohrem.

Sky view

Breath taking sky view

Sky view, a structure 90 feet high constructed of bamboo with the help of cane. It is made by 15 labourers which is completed in 15 days.  The staircase leads to a platform atop the tree which offers a breath taking view of Bangladesh.

Balancing rock

Some kilometer away from the village you can see this Balancing rock. It is a huge rock supported by a small pillar. It is said that religious ceremonies were performed on this rock before the coming of Christianity.

Balancing rock

Supporting pillar 

Living Root Bridge

The adjoining village too has learnt the art of keeping the village spic and span.  Riwai village has also managed to wean some tourists. The Living Roots Bridge is a natural bridge across a stream made of inter-twining roots of two trees. It is more than 300 years old.

Living Roots Bridge

“This bridge connect two villages. The water level is very high during the rainy season and communication between them becomes impossible. Our forefathers had a vision, they devoted great effort to construct this bridge,” said Henry Kharrymba a tourist guide.

Waterfall

 Waterfall

For some adventure one can visit this waterfalls which is a few kilometer away from the village. One can take a good bath here. It is advisable to carry an umbrella and first aid kit as one walks down to this place.

Food and Lodging

 Ethnic design guest house

It has two guest houses, where one can stay over listening to the endless flow of the river. It is constructed in a traditional style. The bigger guest house has a bamboo bridge which leads to a platform atop a tree. If one would like to experience the village life one can always opt for a home stay which will be available upon request.

The food is served in the guest house and there is nothing like having a great meal with the surrounding fresh air in the corridor.

Preparing hot tea

“The Food is little expensive.  I think it is partly because of heavy transportation cost. However it is tasty and hygienic,” said Tribhuwan Prakash Jalan

Keeping the name

Different people from different backgrounds come here so sometimes they forget that they are in the cleanest village.

“The tourists, come from different background. They don’t realize that they are in the cleanest village. They throw the plastic and bottle here and there. We have to pay heavily to the cleaners to clear the mess the next day,” said Rishot Khongthohrem

Cleaning for a cause

“I think everybody, not only from India, but from around the world should visit this place. Because it is immense pleasure to see that such a place really exists,” said Tribhuwan Prakash Jalan

“This village is quite good and nice because it proudly defends its status as the cleanest village. So it’s really good to see such great effort and it is a tribute to the local people,” said Mario Shadop, tourist.

Cleanliness, it is said, is next to Godliness. In this almost isolated hamlet, it is not an abstract idea. People here have brought this ideal to life and are reaping the benefits.

You can watch documentary on Asia Cleanest Village

Courtesy EMMRC Kolkata