UNWTO’s ‘Best Tourism Village’
GS Paper - 2 (International Organisation)
Kongthong, a Meghalayan village in the East Khasi Hills district has been chosen as one of the three entries from India for the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)’s ‘Best Tourism Village’. A picturesque, serene village located between Meghalaya’s Sohra and Pynursla ridges, Kongthong attracts tourists not just because of its landscape; it is also home to an ancient tradition of tune-giving or Jingrwai Iawbei.
What
- Villagers here are known not by their names but by a specific tune. Kongthong is also known as the ‘whistling village of India’.
- There are 10 major clans in the village and four of them, namely Khongsit, Majaw, Lynrah and Pohnong, claim to be the founders.
- Apart from Kongthong, the two other villages that have made it to the list are Pochampally of Telangana and Ladhpura Khas in Madhya Pradesh.
- Bhoodan Pochampally is a census town in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district of Telangana. The place is known for its traditional weave, featuring geometric patterns in ikat style of dyeing, named after the destination.
- On the other hand, Ladhpura Khas village is located in Orchha Tehsil of Tikamgarh district in Madhya Pradesh. It is about seven kilometres away from Orchha, another popular tourist destination.
