Mawphlang sacred grove

Shillong, April 17: The next time you visit the famous Mawphlang sacred grove, make sure you utilise the services of the local guides, who will lead you on a journey into the past through the present.

The Mawphlang Sustainable Tourism Society, formed in 2009 by local students in association with the Lyngdoh (chief) of Hima Mawphlang, met yesterday to work out ways to develop the guiding services in and around the sacred grove.

The sacred grove is around 40km from here.

The interaction-cum-training programme with Cultural Pursuits Adventures was held at Maple Pine Farm in Lyngkein village under Hima Mawphlang.

Cultural Pursuits Adventures is an organisation that conducts tours in lesser-known places in the Northeast.

Moreover, the meeting decided that “Mawphlang Day” would be organised on May 21 at the sacred grove to showcase what Mawphlang has to offer and to ensure professional and sustainable services to visitors.

James M. Perry, who runs Cultural Pursuits Adventures and is an adviser to the tourism society, said visitors, hotel owners and managers and tour operators would be invited to attend the event, which the society intends to make an annual affair.

He also said the society would organise tours enriched with folk tales and stories about the sacred forest from 9am till 1pm, where local guides would lead visitors on a journey into the past through the present.

Along with this, a special competition would be held to test participants’ knowledge about local plants and trees, Perry said while adding that the sacred grove is home to more than 700 species of trees and plants.

He added that local experts would be conducting awareness drives about the grove among students and the general public.

“We want to help the local people earn a sustainable living by guiding visitors who come to the sacred grove,” Perry said.