4 NE villages bag tourism awards for preserving craft & heritage

Guwahati: Four villages of the northeast — one each from Assam and Manipur and two from Meghalaya — have been selected for Best Tourism Village of India 2024 award by the tourism ministry in a remarkable feat ahead of the World Tourism Day on Sept 27.
Assam’s Sualkuchi, renowned as the “Manchester of Assam”, has been recognised as one of the best tourism villages in the craft category.
Meanwhile Manipur’s Andro village got selected in the heritage category and Umden and Mawphlang villages of Meghalaya have been selected for the award in the craft and heritage categories, respectively.
Located on the north banks of the Brahmaputra in Kamrup district, Sualkuchi is a treasure trove of traditional Assamese craftsmanship, particularly in silk weaving. The village is referred to as the “Manchester of Assam” due to the vast number of cottage industries present in the area. The ‘mekhela chadors’ weaved in Sualkuchi are known for the unique quality of “muga”, “pat” and “eri” silk and their intricate designs. This distinction is a testament to Sualkuchi’s rich cultural heritage and its esteemed position in India’s handloom industry.
Apart from the prime attraction of its unique craftsmanship, Sualkuchi also has 400-year-old Hatisatra, Siddheswari Devalaya and an ancient Ganesh temple believed to have been established in the 11th century.
Sharing his happiness on Sualkuchi getting selected for the prestigious award, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote on X, “I am happy to share that Vastra Nagri Sualkuchi has been selected as one of the Best Tourism Villages in the Craft category by @tourismgoi. This is special for me, as Sualkuchi is part of my constituency. Do visit the next time you are here!”
The tourism ministry acknowledged Andro village’s preservation of cultural and natural assets, promoting community-based values and lifestyles. It also took notice of their commitment to sustainability in economic, social and environmental aspects.
Meghalaya’s Umden located in Ri-Bhoi district is also known as the “Eri Silk Village of India”. Home to indigenous communities, the place boasts a sacred grove which houses hundreds of tree varieties.
Located in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, Mawphlang is well known for its sacred groves and intertwining of Khasi customs and traditions with the land and the forests. Those who visit the village are not allowed to take anything away from this hallowed forest, not even a pebble or a twig.
Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma wrote on X, “Excited to share that Umden and Mawphlang have been chosen as the Best Tourism Villages from Meghalaya in the 2024 Best Tourism Village Competition in the Craft and Heritage Categories by @tourismgoi”.