Will have to learn from you on preserving environment: French envoy in Meghalaya

Shillong: On his maiden visit to Meghalaya, The ambassador of France to India, Thierry Mathou, on Friday heaped praises on the heritage village of Mawphlang and said France needs to learn on how to protect and preserve the biodiversity and environment from the Mawphlang villagers. Mawphlang, located near the state capital in East Khasi Hills district, has a sacred grove and several monoliths.
Mathou trekked for more than 3 km during his visit and he was guided by Tambor Lyngdoh Mawphlang, the head of the Lyngdoh clan of Hima Mawphlang, to reach the Mawphlang Sacred Grove. Mathou also visited the Mawphlang dam accompanied by PHED officials, who informed him how Meghalaya’s rural water supply implementation has reached 77.15% household connectivity.
A district official said, “The French ambassador was very enthusiastic in learning the ethnographic (flora) composition of the sacred grove. The clan head explained that the forest (Mawphlang sacred grove) is sanctified by deities who are the custodians of the forests. No immoral activities are allowed in the grove.”
After visiting the village, Mathou said, “I had the pleasure to visit the sacred forests. We have to learn from you (Mawphlang villagers) how to protect the environment and biodiversity. My first visit is to understand the state better and see your needs and how we are going to interact.”