This pristine river flows through Mawlynnong, which has also been dubbed as 'Asia's cleanest village' and is located near India's border with Bangladesh.
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Those planning to visit this gem of a place can also include Mawlynnong village, situated near Dawki Lake, in their travel itinerary. The village was recognised as the cleanest village in Asia in 2003, which was all because of the villagers' commitment to cleanliness, including a ban on plastic use, and more. Reaching Dawki Lake is convenient, with an 80 km taxi ride from Shillong. Visitors can indulge in boating, leisurely walks by the lake, and savouring local cuisine at small lakeside restaurants.
For adventure enthusiasts, the Umngot River offers a range of activities including camping, angling, ziplining, kayaking, snorkelling, and more. Traditional canoe rides on the serene waters and guided treks into the forests and Kudengrim village, famous for its living root bridges and waterfalls, provide memorable experiences.
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The river manages to maintain its status of ‘cleanliness’ all because of the absence of human settlement waste and mineral-mining pollutants, as it flows through a steep, uninhabitable landscape. Also, efforts by nearby villages to keep the river clean cannot be ignored. Locals have also strongly opposed a proposed hydroelectric project on the river, fearing it would disrupt their livelihoods derived from paddy farming, fishing, and tourism.
By rail: Guwahati railway station is 173 km from the Umngot River.
By road: Shillong is 85 km away, approximately a three-hour drive.
