By H.H. Mohrmen
In a state where many rivers are increasingly treated as dumping grounds for waste and sewage that makes the water unfit for human consumption, and in a state where destructive fishing practices continue to threaten aquatic life, it is heartening to hear the story of a community-led effort to conserve a river ecosystem.
For over a decade, the villages of Ksanrngi and Umsawar in East Khasi Hills and Samanong in West Jaiñtia Hills have worked together to protect a stretch of the Umngot River that flows through their traditional boundaries. Without government support, these communities established and maintained a fish sanctuary covering approximately two to three kilometres of the river.
The conservation effort balances protecting nature with supporting local livelihoods. Fishermen are allowed to fish using traditional fishing rods, but using nets and other methods of mass fishing is strictly prohibited. Local fishermen also volunteer, watching over the river and preventing illegal activities that threaten fish populations.
This stretch of the Umngot River is particularly important because it is home to various freshwater fish species, including the Chocolate Mahseer (Kha Saw), which Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma recently declared the official state fish of Meghalaya. The conservation efforts of these communities demonstrate how local stewardship can significantly protect biodiversity.
The communities have done their part, but government support can further strengthen these efforts. Any assistance provided for river conservation, habitat protection, and sustainable tourism will go a long way in safeguarding the Chocolate Mahseer and the rich aquatic life of the Umngot River.
Agritourism: A New Model of Rural Development
Tourism has traditionally benefited transport operators, hoteliers, tour promoters, and guides. Farmers, craftsmen, women producers, and local artists have often remained outside the tourism economy. Agritourism seeks to change this reality.
Inspired by the Regeneration Meghalaya Project, Samanong has embarked on a tourism model that is both sustainable and inclusive. Under this model, farmers become active participants in tourism development. Craftsmen and women, local musicians, guides, homestay operators, cooks, and food producers all become stakeholders in the tourism value chain. The objective is to ensure that tourism benefits as many people in the community as possible.
The initiative is closely linked to the agricultural activities that sustain local livelihoods. Rice cultivation, vegetable farming, pig rearing, poultry keeping, beekeeping, and traditional handicrafts form the backbone of the local economy.
Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the rice ecosystem and understand how farmers interact with it throughout the year. They can participate in farming activities such as ploughing, planting, weeding, and harvesting. Similar experiential learning opportunities can be developed around beekeeping, handicrafts, traditional food systems, and other livelihood activities.
The youth can find employment as guides and homestay managers, while women can be trained in hospitality and food preparation. Local musicians and artists can also showcase their talents and cultural traditions. In short, agritourism aims to create an inclusive development model in which no one is left behind.
A Landscape Rich in Natural Beauty
One of the highlights of the tourism initiative in Samanong is a scenic trek of approximately 6.5 kilometres through forests, meadows, agricultural fields, valleys, and rolling hills surrounding the village. The trek offers visitors an opportunity to experience nature while learning about the traditional way of life of the local people.
A particularly breathtaking point along the trail is a ridge overlooking the spectacular canyon carved by the Umngot River, which forms a natural boundary between East Khasi Hills and West Jaiñtia Hills. Wrapped in mist and cooled by valley winds, the landscape offers visitors a rare opportunity to connect with nature in its purest form.
The trek eventually leads to a naturally formed sandstone cave that serves as an important water source for the community. The cave stands as a reminder of the intimate relationship between the people and their environment.
Conserving Community Forests
Samanong village is also blessed with extensive community forests that continue to be managed under traditional institutions. Several hectares of these forests remain protected, resulting in dense vegetation, healthy undergrowth, and clean water systems.
One encouraging development is that part of the community forest has been brought under the government’s Payment for Ecological Services (PES) programme. The community is also exploring the possibility of developing bird and orchid sanctuaries within some of these protected forests.
At the same time, the Dorbar Shnong continues to manage the forests in a practical manner. Since rural households still depend on forest resources for firewood and other domestic needs, the community has identified separate areas from which such resources can be sustainably harvested. This approach reflects a thoughtful balance between conservation and community welfare.
Strengthening the Local Food Economy
An important feature of the agritourism model is its emphasis on the local food system and circular economy. The objective is to ensure that tourism income remains within the village. More than ninety percent of the food and ingredients used for visitors are planned to be sourced directly from village households and local farmers. This will create a stable market for local produce while enhancing the income of farming families.
Community members will also receive training in value addition, product improvement, and packaging. Local products can then be marketed directly to visitors.
The initiative also seeks to promote wild edible plants and other forest-based foods traditionally collected by local people. In doing so, it recognises and values the knowledge of those who continue to depend on the forest for supplementary food and income.
River-Based Tourism and Environmental Education
The crystal clear waters of the upper reaches of the Umngot River are already an attraction in themselves. In the future, carefully planned low impact water-based activities could further enhance the area’s appeal while ensuring that conservation remains the top priority.
Apart from trekking to the river, visitors can enjoy recreational fishing in designated areas, swimming in the clean waters of the Umngot, and low impact activities such as bamboo rafting, boating, and river tubing. Guided river walks, fish watching, and educational programmes on river ecology and aquatic biodiversity can further enrich the visitor experience.
If properly managed, these activities can generate additional income for local communities while creating strong incentives to protect the river and its aquatic life. In this way, the Umngot River can serve not only as a source of livelihood and biodiversity but also as a living classroom that inspires visitors to appreciate and conserve freshwater ecosystems.
Waste Management and Responsible Tourism
Any discussion on tourism must also address the issue of waste management. Although waste management is often treated as an afterthought, the Samanong initiative considers it an integral part of responsible tourism.
The first objective is to minimise waste generation by promoting locally sourced foods and reducing dependence on packaged products. However, since some waste generation is unavoidable, the community plans to introduce waste segregation at source and establish a Waste Resource Centre with government support.
Recyclable materials can then be processed and sold to waste traders, turning waste into a resource while keeping the village clean. This approach complements the broader vision of a circular economy where resources are reused, recycled, and kept in productive use for as long as possible.
Towards a More Sustainable Future
The agritourism initiative in Samanong is not merely a tourism project. It is a community-driven effort to build on the strengths that already exist within the village. It seeks to conserve rivers, forests, caves, biodiversity, and traditional farming systems while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local people.
The conservation of the Umngot River and the habitat of the Chocolate Mahseer, the protection of community forests, the promotion of local food systems, and the development of experiential tourism all point towards a model of development rooted in local knowledge and community participation.
As Meghalaya continues to explore new pathways for sustainable tourism, Samanong offers a compelling example of how rural communities can shape tourism on their own terms. Any support extended to such initiatives will not only strengthen conservation efforts but will also empower local communities to improve their livelihoods while safeguarding the natural resources that future generations will depend upon.
If we truly wish to develop our state, we must begin by developing our villages. Samanong has already shown the way.
