From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: The Federation of Khasi, Jaintia & Garo People (FKJGP) Nongstoïñ village on Monday, organized a cleaning drive to clear up unwanted vegetation around the famous Mawpein rock or the ‘Rock of the Gods’, and also the spectacular Nongstoin Viewpoint built years ago by the Soil and Water Conservation Nongstoin Division.
The viewpoint holds potential for tourist attraction in the town and can be a genuine source of livelihood for the youth. The history behind the rock is that ancestors used to rub lime on the slopes of the rock as a sign of respect and it had been a tradition for worshiping the Gods during ancient times.
This humble effort made by the FKJGP is a part of heritage conservation and respect of the tradition and culture of the Khasi ancestors who inhabited the land earlier.
Even today, one can see the lime rubbed by the forefathers of that place present on the slope of the rock. If no conservation efforts are made to preserve the ethnicity and sanctity of the rock, much would be lost.
The Federation also planted more than 400 saplings in the area surrounding the rock to make the area look more aesthetic. The Federation also requested the Department of Tourism to look into the issue and help in developing the viewpoints and resting places in many of the famous places present in the locality of Nongstiïñ village.
