Shillong: Meghalaya’s Mawlynnong village which is popularly known as Asia’s cleanest village has bagged the Silver Award as the ‘Best Eco Tourism Destination’ in India.
The accolade was conferred to the representatives of Meghalaya government at the glittering Outlook Traveller Awards function – 2022 organised in New Delhi recently.
The Outlook Traveller Awards is considered the ‘end word’ in terms of quality & competence in the travel and tourism industry.
The awardees were chosen by a team of expert jurors from across the industry and government agencies based on stringent global tourism parameters.
The recognitions were handed out by the Union Minister of Tourism & Culture & Development of Northeastern Region G. Kishan Reddy.
Besides Mawlynnong village, another destination of Meghalaya, the famous ‘Shillong to Sohra route’ was also nominated among the Best Scenic roads in India.
Speaking on the achievement, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said “Tourism has the potential to usher progress and promote grass root development. Our government has been working tirelessly
for the past 4 years to project Meghalaya as a world class destination for eco-tourism.”
He said the accolade from a reputed platform like Outlook Traveller is a “testimony to this relentless commitment.”
“I am sure, going ahead Meghalaya will emerge as the top eco-tourism destination not only in India but the world,” the Chief Minister said, adding that developing world class tourism infrastructure has been a major thrust area of the current Meghalaya Government.
The Conrad Sangma-led government has earmarked Rs. 16,00 crore investment to boost tourism as it has a positive ripple effect across the state’s economy.
Mawlynnong, which means “a cluster of stones” in the local Khasi dialect, is located on the southern slopes of East Khasi Hills district, and is also cited as “Asia’s cleanest village”. It is about 90 km from Meghalaya capital Shillong and four km from the Bangladesh border.
In 2015, the Central Government recognized Mawlynnong as a role model village for the entire country to emulate.
