Shillong: 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.
The event also featured the remote inauguration of the Twahlongwar Open-Air Museum in Mawsynram.
The Pine Home project was developed through a collaboration between 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 project, constructed by local masons and artisans, combines local materials and architectural practices with modern engineering and technology. The state government provided Rs 4 crore for the project.
The project is intended to provide a space for art, creativity and community activities and is also linked with the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission, which aims to support local families in managing eco-friendly accommodation and creating economic opportunities.
Speaking at the inauguration, Sangma said the government’s role was to provide support, policies and an environment in which enterprises and organisations could develop.
“For us as a government, we’ve always believed that our job is limited to providing the ecosystem and providing the support and the policies, for enterprise and for organizations to thrive.”
Sangma also spoke about the project’s use of recycled wool between the walls as a natural heating system and the use of local wood and bricks.
The Twahlongwar Open-Air Museum preserves the remains of an early Khasi settlement in Mawsynram.
According to the government, the archaeological site dates to the mid-18th century and contains more than 20 structures, megaliths, an ancient market, an iron furnace and historical trade routes.
The government has sanctioned around Rs 63 lakh for infrastructure development and research related to the Twahlongwar Open-Air Museum.
Speaking about the museum, Sangma said the project was aimed at preserving the region’s history and culture.
“Our culture, our history, our traditions are what makes us unique”, he stated.
Sangma also announced the formation of a committee with a budget of Rs 20 crore, under which 100 researchers will study the history of the Khasi, Pnar and Garo tribes and work with DNA testing agencies.
“The process is on, the direction is correct and people have started believing that Meghalaya can change, people have started believing that yes, Meghalaya can be in the top 10 states in the country.”
The Chief Minister also outlined development plans for South West Khasi Hills covering tourism, employment and road infrastructure. He said Shillong Airport would be ready to accommodate larger aircraft by next year.
During the programme, 15 beneficiaries under the Chief Minister’s Homestay Scheme received sanction letters of Rs 10 lakh each for creating or improving tourist accommodation infrastructure.
Three registered tourism societies also received sanction letters of Rs 5 lakh each for developing new tourism sites in the region.
Commissioner and Secretary of the Tourism Department Rosetta Kurbah said the Pine Home project demonstrated how local raw materials, traditional knowledge and modern science could be combined in ecological construction.
Representatives of the Saitsnad Multipurpose Cooperative Society also spoke about the project’s benefits to the local community and the use of raw materials in environmentally sustainable ways.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, Tourism Minister Timothy D. Shira, MLAs from different constituencies, Chief Secretary Shakil P. Ahammed, Tourism Commissioner and Secretary Rosetta Kurbah, the Syiem of Hima Maharam Niandro Syiemiong, senior officials and community representatives attended the event.