By Kynsai L Sangriang
Mawkyrwat, Jan 8: A late entrant into the Tourism Sector, South West Khasi Hills, is fast becoming a tourist haven and as some would like to term — a land blessed by the Gods as more breathtaking waterfalls have been discovered besides the existing beautiful green hills, caves, monoliths, hot springs and above all, the excellent weather and attractive rivers right from the Umngi to the Rilang and the Kynshi rivers.
After inaugurating the 100-metre-long Od-Ringai Falls with a beautiful pool on the top of it in Mawten village and Urnar Falls with the pool at the top and bottom of it in Mawrap village, The Shillong Times recently visited Phot Rai-Rai River in Mawranglang village, which is 5 km from Mawkyrwat, South West Khasi Hills, to explore the beauty of the four-sisters ‘Kshaid Phot Rai-Rai’ (Phot Rai-Rai Falls).
Located at Mawranglang Laikyntoit village, the Phot Rai-Rai River comprises four waterfalls with four ranges. The waterfalls are about 25-30 metres in height, but they have their own unique beauty and attraction. The locals also informed that there is another beautiful waterfall in the upstream of Phot Rai-Rai River but it lies within the jurisdiction of Mawlangwir village.
With the discovery of these new waterfalls accompanied by the above-mentioned beautiful sites, Mawkyrwat and South West Khasi Hills will definitely step into the world tourism map and could rival other districts as the most-sought-after tourist destination in the state.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Rangbah Shnong of Mawranglang Laikyntoit, Roland Marwein, informed that the Dorbar Shnong had a clear plan that the Phot Rai-Rai River site will be developed not only as a tourist spot but also as a ‘trekking site and study field for students and researchers’.
Marwein informed that the forest near the waterfalls is a ‘restricted forest’ called ‘Law Pon Pyrnon’ or a forest which will be used only for making bridges. He informed that the forefathers from Mawranglang village and all those from Shilliang Um area passed through this forest to go to Ranikor for trade (at the international border) with the people from the plains (now Bangladesh). However, one has to cross two rivers to go to Ranikor, the Phot Pyntoh River before reaching the forest and Phot Rai Rai River after crossing the forest. Therefore, the trees from this forest were used only for making bridges spanning the two rivers.
“In 2019, the Dorbar Shnong of Mawranglang Laikyntoit had decided to increase the area of the ‘Law Pon Pyrnon’ or ‘Law Iah Khang (restricted forest called by the present generation) which will also cover the four-sisters waterfalls at Phot Rai-Rai River because we want to turn this area into a trekking site and also a study field for students and researchers because in this forest we have many ‘Tiw Khrismas’ (Christmas Flowers) and different kinds of flora and fauna,” Marwein said, adding that this restricted forest has no relationship with any religion.
Marwein also informed that the three Village Employment Councils (VECs) of Nongnat, Nongmawlein and Mawpharkhrew (under Mawranglang Laikyntoit) had in 2020 jointly constructed the Children’s Park near the Phot Rai-Rai Falls. He also said that the village had received Rs 30 lakh through the RURBAN Mission and Rs 3 lakh through the MGNREGS for constructing the approach road (less than 2 kms) to the Phot Pyntoh River. A proposal for blacktopping the road has also been prepared through the RURBAN Mission.
The Rangbah Shnong also informed that the government through the RURBAN Mission has sanctioned Rs.4.50 lakh for constructing footbridge over the Phot Pyntoh River and Rs 10 lakh for constructing a footpath from the Children’s Park to the Phot Rai Rai Falls via the restricted forest.
Marwein said that the people of Mawranglang Laikyntoit village had many plans to beautify the area around the Children’s Park and the Phot Rai Rai Falls, but they cannot do it at one go because of funds requirement. “We had plans to build four viewpoints, three viewpoints for waterfalls and one on top of the hill from where one can behold the beauty of the canyons. We had also planned to make two natural swimming pools, one at Phot Pyntoh River and one at the pool of the last waterfall in the Phot Rai Rai River,” Marwein said.
The discovery of these new destinations will scale up the tourism market for Meghalaya. Already local tourists have started frequenting these destinations. What is required now is for the Village Councils to ensure that they do not short-sell these destinations but decide on the right pricing.