Shillong, May 17: In a significant boost to Meghalaya’s agri-tourism sector, Samanong village under Amlarem subdivision in West Jaintia Hills has launched a community-led agri-tourism initiative inspired by the vision of Regeneration Meghalaya Project.
With an aim of supporting local livelihoods through responsible and experiential tourism, the initiative is expected to open a “new chapter in community-based sustainable development”, according to the organisers.
It seeks to integrate agriculture, nature, culture, and authentic community experiences to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for the people of the village.
The initiative is designed not only to generate income for local households, but also to showcase the beauty, cultural identity, and ecological richness of the landscape and its people, according to a statement.
At the core of the experience is a 6.5-km-long trek through rolling hills, meadows, forests, and valleys surrounding Samanong.
The trek takes approximately three-and-a-half hours and is described as “physically gentle yet spiritually invigorating.”
Prominent writer and social commentator Patricia Mukhim, who joined the trek, said the walk “was long, it was surprisingly non-taxing and left participants feeling refreshed rather than exhausted.”
She also noted the villagers’ conservation work, adding that “efforts made by the villagers to preserve several hectares of community forest around the village, with its rich and dense undergrowth serving as a testament to their commitment to environmental conservation.”
A highlight of the route is a scenic hilltop overlooking the canyon carved by Umngot river, which separates East Khasi Hills from West Jaintia Hills.
“Visitors standing on the ridge experience mist-laden clouds brushing gently across their faces, while the cool breeze from the valley below offers a deeply rejuvenating connection with nature,” the organisers said.
Another participant, Bah Deng, described the trek as “unique and immersive.” He added, “It feels as though the hills are reaching out to you. You feel close enough to touch them. It is like experiencing nature in three dimensions.”
Beyond the trail, the initiative offers cultural and educational exposure. Visitors pass plantation sites, traditional beehives, and paddy fields, gaining “firsthand insight into the village’s agrarian way of life and local farming practices.”
The trek concludes at a naturally formed sandstone cave that also serves as a water source for the community.
Hospitality centers on indigenous cuisine, with over ninety percent of ingredients “sourced directly from local farmers and households, ensuring that tourism revenue directly benefits the community and strengthens the village economy.”
The guests are welcomed with breakfast of tea, sweet potatoes, yam, eggs, and rice cake served with honey.
Lunch includes jadoh and jalieh, freshly caught fish from the Umngot river, the “famous Umngot pashor prepared with local beans,” fried seed potatoes, boiled banana flower mixed with perilla seeds, local chicken, doh um cooked with wild edibles, and chutney made from dried fish and tomatoes. Traditional greens such as khliang syiar, jamyrdoh, and jyllang complete the meal, with tea and millet cake.
“The people of Samanong invite travellers, nature enthusiasts, and supporters of responsible tourism to experience this humble but meaningful initiative—one that promises not just a memorable journey, but also an opportunity to contribute to community empowerment, sustainable livelihoods, and rural regeneration,” the statement said.
