Mawlynnong is a village in the East Khasi Hills district of the Meghalaya state in North East India.[1] It is notable for its cleanliness and also was chosen by Discover India magazine as Asia's cleanest village.[2]
Mawlynnong | |
---|---|
village | |
Country | ![]() |
State | Meghalaya |
District | East Khasi Hills |
Block | Pynursla |
Population (2019) | |
• Total | 900 |
Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
Climate | Cwa |
The village comes under the Pynursla community development block and Vidhan Sabha (legislative assembly) constituency.[3]
Mawlynnong is located 90 km from Shillong, along the India–Bangladesh border.[4] Kalain "The Gateway Of Barak Valley" is 187 km from Mawlynnong.[citation needed]
As of 2019, Mawlynnong had 900 residents.[5] As of 2014[update], there are about 95 households in Mawlynnong.[6] The literacy rate is 90%.[7] Agriculture is the chief occupation of the local population, with betel nut being the main crop.[7] During summers, one can find pineapples and lychees which are then exported to the nearby regions as well. The people residing in the community are Khasi people.[5]
The population is mostly Christian and the village has three churches.[8]
As is the tradition of the Khasi people, in Mawlynnong property and wealth are passed from the mother to the youngest of her daughters, who also keeps the mother's surname.[9][8]
Mawlynnong is known for its cleanliness.[10] The waste is collected in the dustbins made of bamboo, directed to a pit and then used as manure.[7] A community initiative mandates that all residents should participate in cleaning up the village. Smoking and use of polythene is banned while rainwater harvesting is encouraged.[11]
The travel magazine Discover India declared the village as Asia's cleanest village in 2003, and the cleanest in India in 2005.[7] This reputation has boosted local tourism; in 2017 NPR reported that, according to the village headsman, incomes had increased by 60 percent due to increased tourism.[12]