Meghalaya is blessed with the gift of nature. Being a hilly area with a moderate climate, it is the perfect destination for vacation. The potentiality of eco-tourism is dependent on availability of natural resources, involving beautiful sceneries, topography, water resources, vegetation and wildlife and cultural resources and Meghalaya has them all.
Also known as the abode of clouds due to heavy rainfall during monsoon season, Meghalaya 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, magnificent waterfalls and caves in some areas, green canopies, gigantic rocks, sacred groves, etc.
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 ecotourism.
Commonly, ecotourism in Meghalaya covers destinations like Mawlynnong, Sohra, Shnongpdeng, Mawlyngbna which fall in the vicinity of East Khasi Hill, District. Many other places in Ri Bhoi District, Meghalaya are neglected of this same potential to be developed into an ecotourism destination.
Tourist visit to Ri Bhoi District is limited to a few places only – Mawthadkba, Mawdem village, Nongkhyllem which possess aspects of nature based tourism. Most of the domestic tourists are unaware that Ri Bhoi is also blessed to have Umden-Diwon village which has its community to embrace, preserve and promote their culture wisely from time to time.
Even though Umden-Diwon in Raid Nongtluh has been designated as the “Eri Silk Village of Meghalaya,” Ri Bhoi is frequently overlooked when it comes to opportunities to showcase its beauty, culture, and heritage. This is true even though Meghalaya is a well-known tourist destination both locally and nationally.
In the state of Meghalaya, Umden-Diwon in Ri Bhoi has come to be known as 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. But Umden-Diwon inspite has not been popularly placed in the tourism map yet.
Ri Bhoi may not be a hotspot like any other tourist destinations in Meghalaya like Sohra, Mawlynnong, Shnongpdeng. These villages experience mass tourist visits, extensive exploration and increase of tourist visits and revisits to them. But in this village, visitors and tourists can witness all the steps in the sericulture value chain — starting from rearing of silk worms to spinning and reeling of silk to yarn production and dying and finally to weaving.
There are so many monoliths around the village with years of Khasi folktales 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 and get enchanted by the Khasi legends, tales and lore 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 “Jaka shad Rah Kynthei,” a platform where their ancestors frequently perform the Shad Sajer, a ceremonial dance of the Ri Bhoi people. In addition to that, 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, as well as stories and legends that speak to their beauty. ‘Syntiew Synrem’ and ‘Shyiah Risang’ contain legendary accounts of the battles between Raid Nongtluh and Raid Thajang. Also, the village is blessed with lakes, waterfalls, and caverns, including Krem Pynjein and Krem Lyer.
If one is interested to explore Umden-Diwon, Ri Bhoi District, he/she 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 about 15 kilometres away from district headquarters, Nongpoh. The place is surrounded by green vegetation. It is a picnic spot and tourists 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 also proceed by 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. Heading to Diwon village after this will provide the visitor an opportunity to observe the weaving and dyeing processes of Eri silk handloom, an art usually practiced by the women folk of the community.
There are two eri silk weaving units which displays the weaving process: Zong-Hi-I and Kiniho run by Timung 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. (Contact No: 8730925812).
Hence, while Sualkuchi, the ‘Manchester of Assam’, which has been the centre 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. Umden-Diwon in Meghalaya will also stake its claim as the next silk village to join the list of distinctive cultural-economic tourist destinations, similar to San Kamphaeng in Thailand, Van Phuc in Vietnam, and Takeo in Cambodia, provided it receives the proper attention and importance from its own community, village administration, tour operators, as well as strong and consistent support from the District Handloom and the Weavers Cooperative Society.
Overall, Umden-Diwon 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 writer is serving as Assistant Professor, Department of Tourism and Travel Management at Martin Luther Christian University, Shillong)
