A small agricultural village situated 90 km from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya has earned the rare distinction of being Asia’s finest and cleanest village. At a time when cities and towns are overrun with garbage, here is a village that stands tall and acts as an inspiration to any visitor. Mawlynnong is about hundred years old and keeping the surroundings clean and tidy is a tradition inherited by its inhabitants, the Khashi tribals, who are mostly betel nut growers. They are worshippers of nature and hold mother earth in deep reverence. Their little dwelling places have neatly laid gardens well tended, bearing beautiful flowers.
All the residents can read and write and most importantly each house has a toilet. Bamboo dustbins are placed all along the village. The waste collected is composted and used as manure. The pro active Village Council takes a lead in educating its residents and organizes workshops on a variety of issues like ecological balance. global warming and segregation of waste. The village is an eco-tourist landmark and visitors are fascinated by the magnificent root bridge, made of thick roots, that joins the banks of the river. The village truly is straight out of a fairy tale but its inhabitants have sent out a clear message to the world that change indeed begins with each individual.