By Phidari Kharlukhi
Meghalaya is blessed with the gift of nature. Being a hilly area with a moderate climate, it is the perfect destination for a vacation.
The potentiality of eco-tourism is dependent on availability of natural resources, involving beautiful sceneries, topography, water resources, vegetation and wildlife, including cultural resources; Meghalaya has them all.
Also known as the ‘Abode of Clouds’ because of heavy rainfall during monsoon season, the state is bestowed with cascading crystal-clear water bodies, diverse flora and fauna, deep gorges and canyons, high cliffs and gentle meadows and valleys in many areas, and magnificent waterfalls and caves in some areas, along with green canopies, gigantic rocks, sacred groves, to name a few.
Apart from the gift of nature, the beauty of Meghalaya also lies in its rich cultural heritage and tradition, beliefs and customs, languages and numerous dialects.
Based on the above available resource base, it is obvious that Meghalaya has a tremendous potential for eco-tourism.
Commonly, eco-tourism in Meghalaya covers destinations like Mawlynnong, Sohra, Shnongpdeng, Mawlyngbna, which fall in the vicinity of East Khasi Hills district.
There are lesser-known, offbeat spaces that can open a world for any inquisitive tourist, looking for an experience to cherish.
Take Ri Bhoi district for instance. Many places in this district are neglected of this same potential to be developed into an eco-tourism destination – tourist visits here are limited to a few places – Mawthadkba, Mawdem village, Nongkhyllem, which possess aspects of nature-based tourism.
Unfortunately, most domestic tourists are unaware that Ri Bhoi is also blessed to have Umden-Diwon village and the efforts of the community to embrace, preserve and promote their culture wisely from time to time.
Even though this place in Raid Nongtluh has been designated as the “Eri Silk Village of Meghalaya”, Ri Bhoi is frequently overlooked where opportunities in showcasing its beauty, culture, and heritage is concerned.
This is true even though Meghalaya is a well-known tourist destination both locally, nationally and even internationally.
Umden-Diwon is widely regarded to be the epicentre of ethical sericulture and Eri silk weaving because it promotes a way of life that is anchored in nature and entirely at odds with the high-energy lifestyle of the modern world.
Despite this, Umden-Diwon has not been popularly placed in the tourism map yet.
Ri Bhoi may not be a hotspot or celebrated as any other tourist destinations in Meghalaya – Sohra, Mawlynnong, Shnongpdeng – these villages experience mass tourist visits, extensive exploration and increased footfall of tourists, including revisits.
In this village, however, visitors and tourists can witness all the steps in the sericulture value chain – starting from rearing of silk worms, spinning and reeling of silk to yarn production, dyeing and finally weaving.
Apart from sericulture, there are so many monoliths around the village with years of Khasi folklores behind them. One of the tallest monoliths in Ri Bhoi is actually uprooted in the sacred grove of Raid Nongtluh in this village. There is always a fable associated with these monoliths.
Imagine what sustained tourism in this district is capable of achieving – people visiting the place will get enchanted by the Khasi legends, tales and lores in conversation with the experienced men of the village.
Many stories and legends are associated with monoliths and stone constructions, such as Maw Jatngaw, Maw Kyrnei, Maw Shngieng, Maw Doloi, Maw Phatok, Maw Kajew, as well as the Jaka shad Rah Kynthei, a platform where their ancestors frequently perform the Shad Sajer, a ceremonial dance of the Ri Bhoi people.
Additionally, a tourist can always marvel at the natural splendour along the trail on the sacred groves and pristine forests. There are several varieties of flowering plants that are used medicinally, with stories and legends speaking about their beauty. Syntiew Synrem and Shyiah Risang contain legendary accounts of the battles between Raid Nongtluh and Raid Thajang.
The village is blessed with lakes, waterfalls, and caverns, including Krem Pynjein and Krem Lyer.
Anyone interested to explore Umden-Diwon can start to make a circuit plan starting from Marngar Lake located on the way to Umden. It is about 60 kilometers away from the state capital, Shillong and 15 kilometers away from district headquarters, Nongpoh. The place is surrounded by green vegetation. It is a picnic spot and tourists can stay in one of the bamboo huts provided for visitors. There is a boating zone and a children’s park in the Marngar lake resort.
One can indulge in hiking to historical sites and sacred groves in Umden.
Umden-Diwon also boasts of a sacred grove, which represents an age-old tradition of environmental conservation based on indigenous knowledge, culture and religious beliefs. Apart from being a repository of rich bio-diversity and home to many rare, endangered and threatened plant species, sacred groves are living examples of strong symbiotic relationship between the forests and indigenous tribal population of Umden-Diwon.
Diwon village will provide the visitor an opportunity to observe the weaving and dyeing processes of Eri silk handloom – an art form usually practiced by the women folk of the community. There are two eri silk weaving units that display the weaving process: Zong-Hi-I and Kiniho run by Tmung and Malai family respectively.
Upon request, the community members can also organise a cultural show for visitors (dance and song performances by villagers) while they enjoy a meal of local food at the Traveller’s Nest, a guest house in the village. Polish Khymdeit, the village’s tour guide, can help with this without any trouble. He is reachable through phone call for any arrangements that may be necessary.
While Sualkuchi, the ‘Manchester of Assam’, has been the center of silk manufacturing and the go-to destination for tourists and Assamese brides for decades, Umden-Diwon village is taking baby steps and turning into an offbeat destination. The appearance of the “Eri Silk Village” intrigues tourists.
In the years to come, Umden-Diwon will also stake its claim as the next silk village to join the list of distinctive cultural-economic tourist destinations, similar to San Kampheng in Thailand, Van Phuc in Vietnam, and Takeo in Cambodia, given it receives the proper attention and importance from its own community, village administration, and tour operators, with strong and consistent support from the District Handloom and the Weavers Cooperative Society.
Overall, this village is one of Meghalaya’s hidden gems and offers a distinctive and genuine travel experience. The community is ideal for those who enjoy the outdoors, seek out new experiences, and want to get to know the local way of life.
(The author is Assistant Professor, Department of Tourism and Travel Management, MLCU, Shillong)