Meghalaya Village Design and Investment Plan

The client for this project was the Meghalaya Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation who put out a Request for Project/ client brief laying out terms for the preparation of a ‘Village design and investment plan’ for ten villages in the state of Meghalaya. The tender proposal for the project was submitted in collaboration with the Infrastructure and Development Corporation Karnataka Ltd (iDeCK). The ten villages listed in the project brief were primarily situated in the Khasi Hills and perched on the remote mountain tops with very limited access to public infrastructure. The isolated nature of the villages conferred each with unique natural and social characteristics that demanded a very sensitive approach to the existing linkages.

It was recognized that opening these villages to the tourism industry would have to be a very carefully designed process that did not lead to mindless bulldozing over the local fabric especially one as ecologically and socially fragile as these. The proposed projects emerged from re-interpreting the project brief to ensure that the embedded linkages of the individual villages are tied to the larger regional context in terms of administration, ecology and historical evolution. The proposed investment plan therefore looks at identifying specific projects and programs that would strengthen the existing cultural, livelihood and social linkages and use tourism as the catalyst to do so.

The report follows the various stages of the project from the initial study through secondary sources to the final stages. The methodology adopted and the analysis that informed the final proposal have also been presented. The aim of this report is to succinctly summarize the extensive and rigorous process followed to collate, analyze and respond to the varied contexts of the ten villages. Given the vast diversity in scale, socio-cultural linkages, local geographies and economic activities the response developed was very contextual and nuanced. The study culminated in detailed projects designed for three villages that were to be developed on priority. The technicalities of the design prepared for the projects have also been appended to this report.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

The Village Design and Investment Plan aims to integrate existing government schemes for rural areas in a Village Beautification & Tourism Plan by mainstreaming tourism, social and cultural considerations of the village.

FORMING THE IDEA OF CLUSTERS ESTABLISHING LINKAGES – TOURISM, SOCIAL, LIVELIHOOD.

VERIFYING THE LINKAGES ESTABLISHED. COLLECTION OF DATA VISUAL SURVEY

DISCUSSIONS WITH COOPERATIVES LISTING FURTHER POTENTIALS

VISIT TO EACH OF THE VILLAGES

REGIONAL LEVEL

NATURAL FEATURES, TOURISM POTENTIAL AND INFRASTRUCTURE LINKAGE

VISION ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT

STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT

ASSIMILATION OF DATA

VILLAGE LEVEL

BLOCK LEVEL STUDY, DEMOGRAPHICS, NATURAL POTENTIAL, SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

DEVELOPMENT OF PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS FOR EACH VILLAGE INTRA CLUSTER STRATEGY

OVERALL TOURISM THEME DEVELOPMENT FOR THE STATE

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

IDENTIFICATION OF GAPS FEASIBILITY OF PROJECTS PROPOSED DESIGN TEMPLATES

Feb 2020 Mar 2020

Sept 2020

Dec 2020

Jan 2021 Feb 2021 Mar 2021

• Project conception

• Tender Submission

• Research at a regional scale

• Initial ground study

• Initial draft of proposed programs and projects

• Ground Truthing

• Programs and projects finalised

• Tender drawings prepared

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

REGIONAL STUDY

The study began by looking at the region around the state of Meghalaya. A historical understanding was developed to understand the evolutionary pattern and cultural characteristics of the region. The topography, hydrology, forest cover and access to public amenities were collated, mapped spatially and analysed.

The data extracted from census documents also shed light on the population demography, livelihoods and employment factors around these remote villages.

Apart from the natural and environmental analysis, an additional layer of cultural context was built through secondary research.

The villages are dominated by the Khasi tribal population and the social structures, religious beliefs and governance practices of the people are specific to the local communities. Land tenancy rules too followed the customs of the Khasi people who dominated the study area.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

LEGEND

BLOCK HEADQUARTERS

DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS

TOURIST HOTSPOTS

+ 1943 m + 728 m

+ 1583 m + 517 m

+1260 m + 344 m

+ 975 m + 271 m

MEGHALAYA

LEGEND

BLOCK HEADQUARTERS

DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS

SELECTED VILLAGES

PRIMARY STREAMS

TERTIARY STREAMS

WATERSHED LINES

RIDGE LINES

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

LEGEND

BLOCK HEADQUARTERS

DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS

ALLUVIUM

BASALT SANDSTONE SHALE LIMESTONE

GRANITE QUARTZITE GNEISS INTRUSIVES

LEGEND

BLOCK HEADQUARTERS

DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS

EAST HIMALAYAN MOIST MIXED DECIDUOUS FOREST

CACHAR TROPICAL EVERGREEN FOREST

ASSAM ALLUVIAL PLAINS SEMI-EVERGREEN FOREST

KHASI SUB-TROPICAL WET HILL FOREST

ASSAM SUB-TROPICAL PINE FOREST

KHASI HILL SAL

SECONDARY MOIST BAMBOO BRAKES

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

LEGEND

BLOCK HEADQUARTERS

DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS

TOURIST HOTSPOTS

EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES

HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

TRADE AND COMMERCE FACILITIES

TRANSPORT FACILITIES

INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES

REGIONAL STUDY

The regional study looked at the multiple aspects of the natural topography to understand the correlation between the multiple ecological systems. The terrain and natural potential of the land was analysed to identify the critical linkages that needed attention. The cultural relationship of the community with the landscape also informed the requirements of the region across multiple scales.

Each village was identified with respect to its larger regional context which helped locate it within the multiple typologies of systems. Each system was addressed while preparing the individual projects and programs for each village- whether it was the slope, terrain, local forest type or water availability in the village.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

A holistic profile of the villages was prepared by looking at the several layers of administrative provisions in terms of the districts, blocks and sub-divisional offices, roads and highways, healthcare amenities and existing tourism potentials.

A profile of each village was prepared by looking at the various development parameters across the block that looked at the population, employment, agriculture, education, healthcare and administration to name a few.

Understanding these amenities determined the infrastructure within these villages beyond merely the requirements for tourism development; it helped to identify important existing linkages between each village and its surroundings.

500m diameter

Mawlynnong

Mawlyngot

Mawlygbna

Based on the development parameters and initial ground survey conducted, the critical linkages surrounding each village was understood. The linkages identified spanned across cultural, social and economic ties that acted between the study village and its surroundings. Each village therefore comprised of a cluster of socio-economic and cultural linkages that were mapped spatially for better understanding.

CLUSTER LINKAGES IDENTIFIED

The village linkages were then mapped over the region to identify larger over-arching clusters that shared common identities across villages. These identities were critical to cater to the requirements of the larger region surrounding the study villages. It was also based on these identities that the programs and projects were proposed for each village.

VILLAGE

DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

SHILLONG SMIT MAWLYNGOT KONGTHONG

KUDENGRIM

MEGHALAYA

MAYWLYNNONG

• Households : 78 HH; 500 people

• Co-operative Society : Recently formed a Co-operative society

• Has people skilled in bamboo construction not handicraft products.

• Excessive arecanut and broom cultivation caused agriculture to fail due to degraded lands and lack of alternate livelihood opportunities has led to migration out of the village.

• Recently began to branch out into olive oil and coffee cultivation. All products sold through middle men in Shillong.

• Often mixed up with the newer settlement nearby Kudengthymmai.

• Attempting to construct a triple decker living roots bridge as a tourist attraction.

• Nongbareh fish sanctuary is not regulated.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

Nearest towns: Amlarem, Dawki

To be developed as rest stops with drinking water, cafeteria and toilet facilities.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

- IDENTIFIED PROJECTS

Traveller’s Nest Interpretation Centre with shelters and stalls Parking Node at the end of the road considering the connection to Kudengthymmai Streetscape development between Traveller’s Nest and Football ground

1a

Entrance to the village

1a 1b 2 3 1b

3 Towards Kudengthymmai Trail to Living Roots Bridges

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

2

KUDENGRIM – PARKING NODE

A road has been proposed to link the Kudengrim village to Kudengthymmai to reduce the region’s reliance on passage through Dawki. This node caters to the subsequent footfall that will be triggered by that traffic corridor.

Stalls and

facilities have been introduced for passers-by who may stop over for a brief period.

MEGHALAYA

An entrance node has been designed to the north end of the settlement. This region can easily accommodate cottages for a traveller’s Nest facility and ancillary amenities like the Dining block with a kitchen unit. The streetscape has also been designed to create open spaces with viewing decks at vantage points that offer scenic views of the valley.

MAWSYNRAM UMDEN VILLAGE LOCATION

MAWPHANLUR NONGHKHNUM ISLAND

SHILLONG SMIT MAWLYNGOT KONGTHONG

KUDENGRIM

MEGHALAYA

MAYWLYNNONG

CRITICAL TAKEAWAYS FROM SITE

KONGTHONG

• Households : 130 HH; 700 people

• Co-operative Society : Indegenous Agro Toursim Co-operative society

• The village draws many tourists for the unique whistling practice.

• It has two traveller’s nest cottages and additional camp site areas.

• The village is also well known for the honey harvested from the wild here. It has many livelihood opportunities which need to be preserved.

• A food processing unit once existed for producing jams and wines from pineapples and oranges but now is defunct.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

Nearest towns: Mawjrong, Pynursla

To be developed as rest stops with drinking water, cafeteria and toilet facilities.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

MAWSYNRAM UMDEN VILLAGE LOCATION

MAWPHANLUR NONGHKHNUM ISLAND

SHILLONG SMIT MAWLYNGOT KONGTHONG

KUDENGRIM

MEGHALAYA

MAYWLYNNONG

• Households : 46 HH; 250 people

• Co-operative Society : Urlong Tea Integrated Village Co-operative Society

• The Tea cultivation is managed largely by Mr. Nongspung and Ms. Riba and sells four types of tea that is grown organically and packaged by the villagers.

• Other herbal remedy products also sold along with spices like turmeric, garlic and ginger.

• The village provides an exclusive tourist experience anchored by the natural features of the area with a specific screening process already in place for the visitors.

• The village wants to expand their tourism to provide traditional wellness healing options.

• A weekly market is held in Iewrynghep.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

Nearest town: Jongksha

Could possibly be developed as rest stop with drinking water, cafeteria and toilet facilities.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

An entrance node has been designed at the point w=one enters the Mawlyngot village complete with parking areas, shelters, toilet block and stalls. This node marks the entry into the village and leads the way to the Wellness Centre one way and the Traveller’s Nest cottages to the other.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

Shelters

MEGHALAYA

In order to facilitate a sustainable development model that caters to the needs of the community, it is important to evaluate the existing everyday livelihood and cultural practices of each village. The development strategies will employ tourism as the means to strengthen the identified valuable socio-economic anchors that are embedded in the village presently.

Frame policy guidelines for the clusters that initiates development while addressing the existing socio-economic linkages between all the villages of the cluster

Revive and sustain the existing socio-economic and cultural linkages by using the tourism industry as a catalyst to strengthen the everyday livelihood and cultural practices of the villages

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

UM– water

MAW– rock

WAH– river

SHNONG– village

PHLANG– grass

KHLAW– forest

Every village is operated by an Executive Council or Durbar under a Rangbah Shnong (Village Headman). There various wings (youth group, women’s groups etc) of governance working under each Durbar.

The Co-operative Society is:

• Registered under the Meghalaya Village Development & Promotion Tourism Cooperative Society Ltd. to channelise funding to the village for tourist infrastructure. The Society pays a membership fee regularly to the Apex Body and manages the infrastructure at the local level.

• The funds are sent most commonly to build Traveller’s Nests which are maintained by the community and a share is given to the Apex Body and the Tourism Dept.

• The Village Durbar holds all property rights and administration within the village.

• The Durbar only collects 10% of the sum collected as the village entry fee.

A large football ground is located in every village that serves multiple social functions.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

COMMON STRATEGIES

Each village was studied along its social fabric and physical structure.

Based on the inferences drawn from the site, certain common strategies and policies are proposed. These include:

1. Physical intervention should be in congruence with the existing village form and social fabric of the society.

6. Recognize the concerned administrative authority – mainly the cooperatives in each village to formulate development plans and mobilize other departments of the State machinery wherever required to strengthen village community.

7. Encourage the Cooperatives as multi-purpose, rather that exclusive tourism cooperatives.

2. Proposed Traveller’s Nests while kept along the periphery of the village as is seen in villages like Mawlongbna, Mawlyngot and Kongthong (to ensure the core settlement is sheltered from heavy tourist footfall), should reflect and integrate the core strengths, skills and differentiators of the village. Towards this end, it is critical to establish research, development and skill and experience centres.

3. New interventions must be initiated in congruence with the cultural and natural expressions of the cluster and in collaboration with the concerned administration body to ensure that the community's livelihoods and interests are protected from the influx of the tourist industry.

8. Environment conservation measures to be implemented in collaboration with the indigenous community and their knowledge. This includes resource management measures for water, land, waste and energy to be executed with the community to promote a sustainable agro lifestyle.

9. Research and documentation into the existing natural, cultural and heritage aspects of the communities in order to educate visitors accordingly through mixed media such as signages, online publications or pamphlets.

4. Identification of key stop over points along the route to each village that will provide basic amenities like rest stops with toilets and small restaurants or eateries. Transport linkages to be strengthened along these stop-over locations.

5. Skill development and capacity enhancement programmes for local community are critical to ensure quality of tourist experiences.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

Phase 2 Secondary Villages – Proposed Projects

MAWSYNRAM UMDEN VILLAGE LOCATION

MAWPHANLUR NONGHKHNUM ISLAND

SHILLONG SMIT MAWLYNGOT KONGTHONG

KUDENGRIM

MEGHALAYA

MAYWLYNNONG

• Households : 1820 HH; 15000 people

• Co-operative Society : Has a Co-operative society for trade not registered under Tourism Apex Body

• The Ka Їing Sad is the residence of the Syiem – the head of the Seng Khasi religion that is spread across Meghalaya, making Smit one of the most important heritage sites in the state.

• A weekly market is held according to a religious calendar.

• Over the course of the pandemic, the weekly market spread out on to the ground in front of the Ka Їing Sad.

• The ground is frequently used during the Nongkrem Dance festival and archery competitions hosted by the Syiem.

• The Syiem has a 35 acres land parcel that they want to develop without damaging the sacred portions.

• The river flows down to the Mawphlang Dam which provides drinking water to Shillong.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

Nearest town: Shillong

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

MEGHALAYA

MAWSYNRAM UMDEN VILLAGE LOCATION

MAWPHANLUR NONGHKHNUM ISLAND

SHILLONG SMIT MAWLYNGOT KONGTHONG

KUDENGRIM

MEGHALAYA

MAYWLYNNONG

• Households : 105 HH; 547 people

• Co-operative Society : No Co-operative society; Strong Village Durbaar

• Since 2003, the village draws many tourists for the ‘cleanest village in Asia’ label.

• Due to its fame, it receives funding from various arms of the state like the BDA and even IDFC, not just the Tourism Dept.

• Majority of the village is engaged in the tourism industry in the capacity of private homestays or guesthouses.

• It has a dedicated team of horticulturists to maintain the gardens of the public areas.

• The village has no alternate livelihood opportunities which can be rectified by shifting back to agriculture in a small part, which has started taking shape during the pandemic.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

Nearest town: Pynursla, Dawki

Could possibly be developed as rest stop with drinking water, cafeteria and toilet facilities.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

PROGRAM LIST

• Training Spaces

• Exhibition spaces on practices in the village

• Restaurant facility

• Toilets

Exhibition spaces to be used for imparting knowledge on the successful practices within the village.

The Centre is to be built on a stone plinth of 15m x 30m. Superstructure is made of locally available stone and bamboo frameworks.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

MAWSYNRAM UMDEN VILLAGE LOCATION

MAWPHANLUR NONGHKHNUM ISLAND

SHILLONG SMIT MAWLYNGOT KONGTHONG

KUDENGRIM

MEGHALAYA

MAYWLYNNONG

MAWSYNRAM

• Households : 800+ HH; 6000+ people

• Co-operative Society : No Co-operative society, Only Executive Council

_____________________________________________________________________________

• The village draws many tourists for the wettest village tag.

• It is the largest trading centre for the region with many villages nearby coming to Mawsynram to trade goods.

• It is surrounded by many natural caves and viewpoints

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

Nearest town: Phalngwangbroi, Phlangmawsyrpat

Could possibly be developed as rest stop with drinking water, cafeteria and toilet facilities.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

PROJECTS

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

Tourist Information Centre View Point Development at Khrang Khrang

PROGRAM LIST

• Food Processing Unit

• Community Hall

• Retail Unit for food processing products

• Shelter Space

• Drinking water facility

• Toilets

A large central, double-heighted space to create a sheltered and dramatic multi-purpose space for community gatherings.

Service functions and toilets pushed to the side of the structure keeping the core free for other activities.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

MAWLONGBNA

• Households : 356 HH; 1800 people

• Co-operative Society : Training Roof Co-operative Society (Lake and Fossil Park) Mawlongbna Multipurpose Society (Traveller’s Nest) _____________________________________________________________________________

• The village is about an hours ride away from Mawsynram and maintains trade linkages with Lawbah and Mawsynram.

• The two Co-Op Societies have some differences of opinion

• The village has a 4km long stretch of sacred forest Khlawadong with pitcher plants, orchids and traditional medicinal plants which are studied by researchers.

• Other frequent visitors are the students from Shillong who pitch tents and camp

Nearest town: Phalngwangbroi, Phlangmawsyrpat

Could possibly be developed as rest stops with drinking water, cafeteria and toilet facilities.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

IDENTIFIED

PROJECTS

Research and Documentation Centre Amenity Block at Umkhakoi Lake Expansion of Traveller’s Nest with camping facilities Development of Forest Trail & Fossil Trail Streetscape development through the village

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

PROGRAM LIST

• Restaurant facility

• Retail Unit

• Shelter Space

• Drinking water facility

• Toilets

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

Amenity Block provided on the lakeside to cater to the needs of the tourists who look to spend a short period of time at the village.

PROGRAM LIST

• Each cottage unit has 2 rooms -40 m2 each

• Every room has a spacious bedroom, a toilet, balcony and sit out spaces.

Located as a cluster along the periphery of the village and the sacred forest.

Providing seclusion to tourists and opportunity to expand in future.

Constructed using locally available, hand-dressed stone and bamboo

Private sit-out spaces towards the scenic views, to enjoy the landscape.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

CLUSTER PROPOSALS

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

Create an area exclusively for homestays and resorts at Phlangmawsyrpat and Phlangwangbroi to act as hospitality zones for the cluster as a whole. Phlangmawsyrpat has a registered Cooperative society, so a Traveller’s Nest can be developed at the initial stages.

PHLANGWANGBROI

MAWLONGBNA

MAWSYNRAM

PHLANGMAWSYRPAT

MAWSYNRAM UMDEN VILLAGE LOCATION

MAWPHANLUR NONGHKHNUM ISLAND

SHILLONG SMIT MAWLYNGOT KONGTHONG

KUDENGRIM

MEGHALAYA

MAYWLYNNONG

• Households : 40 HH

• Co-operative Society : Mawphanlur Integrated Village Co-operative Society

• The Lyngdo Lyngkhoi clan owns most of the land in the village.

• Village engages in cultivation activities like maize, paddy and squash.

• One of the oldest Co-operative Societies in Meghalaya estb in 1998 and moved under the Apex body in 2013.

• The Traveller’s nest is maintained by volunteers from the village. Income is not shared with the Durbar. Completely booked from May- September.

• There are also guesthouses built privately by an individual with the help of the Tourism Department.

• Hospitality training given by IHM. Volunteers trained in rock climbing, boating privately.

• Site of unique geological formations of Charkonite indicated at present only by a signboard.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

•

PROGRAM LIST

Gathering Space for events

• Drinking water facility

• Toilets

A large central, double-heighted space to create a sheltered and dramatic multi-purpose space for community gatherings.

Service functions and toilets pushed to the side of the structure keeping the core free for other activities.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

•

• Co-operative Society : No Co-operative society, Only Executive Council

• Car entry fee is collected at Sangriang village.

• The Nongsiej clan owns all the land in the village and therefore has more power in making decisions in the village.

• It has four traveller’s nest cottages and camp site areas built by the Tourism Department in 2016 and given on lease to the caretaker (who is from the clan). Income is shared with the Tourism Department and the clan.

• River is maintained by the clan.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

PROGRAM LIST

• Viewing Decks

• (optional) Seating Area

• Sheltered Spaces

Sheltered decks located along the viewpoint. These can be developed as cantilevers or decks providing the best view as per specific site conditions.

MAWSYNRAM UMDEN VILLAGE LOCATION

MAWPHANLUR NONGHKHNUM ISLAND

SHILLONG SMIT MAWLYNGOT KONGTHONG

KUDENGRIM

MEGHALAYA

MAYWLYNNONG

CRITICAL TAKEAWAYS FROM SITE

• Households : 600 HH; 6700 people

• Co-operative Society : Diwon Handloom Cotton Khadi and Village Industrial Cooperative Society Ltd

• 36 villages in the area are actively involved in the cultivation of Eri Silk under 6 co-operative societies.

• 46 people in the Co-operative Society from Umden 25 people in the Co-operative Society from Diwon

• Cultivation of rice, papaya, pineapple and many other fruits.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

PROJECTS

Traveller’s Nest Market Node with Amenity Centre Extension of streetscape towards football ground and Handloom Office Improvement of Facilitation Centre

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

PROGRAM LIST

• Each cottage unit has 2 rooms -40 m2 each

• Every room has a spacious bedroom, a toilet, balcony and sit out spaces.

Located as part of the existing cluster along the outskirts of the village.

Constructed using locally available, hand-dressed stone and bamboo

Private sit-out spaces towards the scenic views, to enjoy the landscape.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT

PROGRAM LIST

• Restaurant facility

• Retail Unit

• Shelter Space

• Drinking water facility

• Toilets

Amenity Block provided along the marketplace with a retail unit, toilets and a small restaurant facility for the convenience of the tourists.

Built with stilted plinths.

Using locally available wood, bamboo and hand-dressed stone blocks.

VILLAGE DESIGN AND INVESTMENT PLAN, MEGHALAYA

BASELINE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT