Shillong, August 17 : Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday inaugurated the State’s first eco-sustainable habitat, the ‘Pine Home’ Project, at Mawlangwir village in South West Khasi Hills district, marking a new initiative aimed at promoting sustainable and community-driven tourism. He also remotely inaugurated the Twahlongwar Open-Air Museum in Mawsynram.
The Pine Home Eco-Tourism Model Project combines local architectural traditions and materials with modern engineering and sustainable construction techniques. Built by local masons and artisans, the project has been developed through a collaboration involving the Picasso Pupils Art Society, Slovakia-based Emage Architecture Studio and the Saitsnad Multipurpose Co-operative Society, with support from the Meghalaya Tourism Department.
The State government has provided ₹4 crore for the project, which has been envisioned as a model for green tourism, climate-resilient architecture, art, creativity and community engagement. It is also linked with the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission to enable local families to operate eco-friendly tourism facilities and generate livelihoods.
Speaking at the programme, Sangma said the government’s role was to create the right ecosystem, policies and support required for enterprises and organisations to grow. He highlighted the Pine Home’s eco-friendly features, including a natural heating system that uses recycled wool between its walls, along with extensive use of locally sourced wood and bricks.
The Chief Minister said the project demonstrated how local resources could be used sustainably and expressed hope that similar initiatives would be developed across Meghalaya in the future.
Meanwhile, the Twahlongwar Open-Air Museum seeks to preserve an early Khasi settlement containing more than 20 structures, megaliths, an ancient market, an iron furnace and historical trade routes. The archaeological site, dating to around the mid-18th century, is being developed as a centre for heritage and archaeological tourism. The State government has already sanctioned around ₹63 lakh for infrastructure and research at the site.
Sangma said preserving the State’s culture, history and traditions was vital to maintaining Meghalaya’s unique identity. He also announced the formation of a committee with a ₹20-crore budget, under which 100 researchers will work with DNA-testing agencies to undertake deeper research into the history and origins of the Khasi, Pnar and Garo communities.
The Chief Minister also outlined development plans for South West Khasi Hills focusing on tourism, employment and road infrastructure. He said Shillong Airport is expected to be ready to accommodate larger aircraft by next year, describing the development as a potential gamechanger for Meghalaya’s tourism sector.
During the programme, Sangma distributed financial assistance sanction letters to local beneficiaries and cooperative bodies. Under the Chief Minister’s Homestay Scheme, 15 beneficiaries received sanction letters of ₹10 lakh each, while three registered tourism societies received ₹5 lakh each for developing new tourism sites in the region.
Tourism Commissioner and Secretary Rosetta Kurbah said the Pine Home demonstrated how local raw materials, low-carbon practices, traditional knowledge and modern science could be combined, adding that the project could eventually emerge as a centre for learning, training and research in ecological construction.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, Tourism Minister Timothy D. Shira, MLAs Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, Pius Marwein, Ollan Singh Suin, Mayralborn Syiem and Dr Celestine Lyngdoh, Chief Secretary Dr Shakil P. Ahammed, senior government officials and community leaders were among those present at the programme.
