When Prime Minister Narendra Modi cited the example of Meghalaya’s Mawlynnong as India’s cleanest village last year, it didn’t come as a surprise. In 2003, a journalist from Discover Magazine visited this remote village in Meghalaya and was so impressed with what he saw that he dubbed it ‘Asia’s Cleanest Village’. Since then, the moniker has stuck and Mawlynnong continues to be one of India’s cleanest villages.
From having a dedicated and environmentally conscious village population to zero tolerance for littering, let’s explore how Mawlynnong has managed to sustain cleanliness.
United in Cleanliness
Sanitation is considered a community responsibility, and the villagers of Mawlynnong participate in cleanliness chores from a very young age. Children storm the streets armed with brooms, sweeping up garbage before leaving for school. Hand-woven, cone-shaped baskets which are scattered throughout the town are emptied by the children. Daily cleaning for children and adults is a regular activity, while the village leader assigns out work to be completed for the village’s collective good. The village community has collectively banned smoking and plastic usage, thus ensuring basic environmental cleanliness.
Innovative Waste Management
The residents of Mawlynnong have come up with innovative ideas to manage waste. Biodegradable wastage such as leaves are buried and used as manure. Other wastage is driven far away from the village and burned. Materials such as plastic, which is toxic when burned, is reused in the form of planters and swings. The village has also eradicated open defecation with the presence of toilets in each of its households.
Clean and green surroundings
Mawlynnong boasts of houses with clean and green surroundings. Natural basins for rainwater harvesting in front yards give the houses a unique look. Add to them the bougainvillea and orchid draped patios, and impeccably maintained gardens. The surroundings ensure that the environmental sanctity of the village is maintained.
But fame often brings downsides with it and Mawlynnong is no exception. In recent times, villagers have complained of increased noise pollution and lack of privacy because of the large number of tourists who visit the village. However, Mawlynnong remains Asia’s cleanest village till date. The village has become an inspiration for other villages such as Assam’s Shikdamakha. which is looking to eclipse Mawlynnong as Asia’s cleanest village by engaging its inhabitants in similar acts of community cleaning and environmental consciousness.
Also Read: Focus On Recycling Plastic Rather Than Banning It: Experts
Shemeela Sasikumar
February 17, 2017 at 10:14 am
It is a pleasure to read about this village in Meghalaya. If only other villages and towns all over India were to follow its example to keep the environment and premises around their homes clean with the firm objective of Keeping India Clean, the Swaach Bharat Campaign of our Central government would become a roaring success as Singapore and Malaysia have achieved after years of rigorous campaigning and instilling their people with this objective.
sherali mitha
February 23, 2017 at 8:09 pm
Thanks for appreciating our initial steps…We will sure catch up with Singapore where the Civic Laws are very stringent. Our people needs some encouragement and reaasonable income to run their house hold and then they will dedicate all their spare time to make their villages, towns, schools, churches, hospitals SWAACH.
Thanks again.
T G GEORGE
March 23, 2017 at 5:43 am
Really great.I am from trivandrum.Every day I am cleaning my lane. Even though Kerala is first in many parameters we are behind in so many parameters. I am sure that Magalaya will do better in future also.I hope Trivandrum corporation move to ban plastic bags will make my future clean
Krish
April 2, 2017 at 10:10 am
Can anyone tell me where we will get electrical compost pit
sagar
June 16, 2017 at 5:42 pm
Hello,
This is really good step to make completely clean India. I really appreciate to celebrities has taken initiative in sanitation. I also keep my surrounding clean and I would like to say thanks to SWCHH BHARAT MISSION.
senthil kumar
March 3, 2018 at 8:34 pm
proud to see. i will contribute maximum here onwards to make it success.