Shillong, August 17, 2026: In a landmark step toward advancing sustainable tourism and community-centric development, Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, today officially inaugurated the State’s first eco-sustainable habitat, the ‘Pine Home’ project, at Mawlangwir Village in South West Khasi Hills. The event also witnessed the remote inauguration of the Twahlongwar Open-Air Museum, reinforcing Meghalaya’s commitment to preserving its rich cultural heritage while promoting eco-tourism.

The ‘Pine Home’ Eco-Tourism Model Project stands as a novel and unique initiative that seamlessly blends global architectural excellence with local competence, principles, and ethos. Constructed by local masons and artisans, the project integrates indigenous aesthetics with global engineering and technology frameworks.

Marking a major milestone as the State’s first eco-sustainable habitat, the project is designed as a dedicated space for art, creativity, and community engagement. It was brought to life through the collaborative efforts of the Picasso Pupils Art Society, Slovakia-based Emage Architecture Studio, and the Saitsnad Multipurpose Co-operative Society, with the support of the Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya. Backed by a financial outlay of ₹4 crore from the State government, it serves as a holistic model for green tourism, climate-resilient architecture, and sustainable community living. Furthermore, the initiative operates in seamless integration with the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission, aimed at empowering local families to manage eco-friendly spaces and generate economic opportunities.

Adding another significant dimension to the Government of Meghalaya’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage, the Twahlongwar Open-Air Museum in Mawsynram brings attention to an important chapter of the region’s history. The site preserves the remains of an early Khasi settlement that once served as a vibrant centre of trade and community life. Preserving a mid-18th-century settlement, the scientifically validated archaeological site contains over 20 structures, megaliths, an ancient market, an iron furnace, and historical trade routes. The initiative aims to protect indigenous Khasi history and culture while transforming the location into a key centre for archaeological tourism. Designed to combine preservation with interpretation, the museum will enable visitors to explore the archaeological findings while gaining a deeper understanding of the region’s history and cultural legacy. To support this, the Government of Meghalaya has already sanctioned around ₹63 lakh for

infrastructure creation and research to develop the Twahlongwar Open-Air Museum, with the initiative envisioned as an important centre for heritage and archaeological tourism.

In his keynote address, Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, expressed his gratitude towards the collective efforts in making the project a reality. Outlining the philosophy of governance, the Chief Minister emphasized, “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.” Highlighting the sustainability aspect of the new infrastructure, he emphasized its eco-friendly design, which seamlessly incorporates a natural heating system utilizing recycled wool between the walls to trap heat. Coupled with the maximum use of local wood and bricks, he noted that utilizing local products is what makes the project sustainable in the true sense, expressing his vision that this will lead the way for many more such projects in the future.

Reflecting on the Twahlongwar Open-Air Museum, he underscored that the genesis of the project lies in ensuring that the region’s rich heritage is never forgotten. “Our culture, our history, our traditions are what makes us unique”, he stated. To further explore these origins, he announced the formation of a committee with an assigned budget of ₹20 crore, wherein 100 researchers will travel and tie up with DNA testing agencies to go deep down into the history of the Khasi, Pnar, and Garo tribes.

Reaffirming his optimism for the State’s trajectory, he affirmed, “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.”

He outlined specialized development plans for South West Khasi Hills, focusing on tourism, employment, and massive road infrastructure, and stated that Shillong Airport will be ready to accommodate larger aircraft by next year, a critical milestone he hailed as a gamechanger poised to open Meghalaya’s tourism sector to the world.

A key highlight of the event was the felicitation of the community members and architects whose dedication and sustainable building practices made the vision a reality. Highlighting the Government’s commitment to boosting sustainable tourism and community-driven entrepreneurship, the Hon’ble Chief Minister formally distributed financial assistance sanction letters to local beneficiaries and cooperative bodies.

As part of the Chief Minister’s Homestay Scheme, 15 selected beneficiaries received sanction letters of ₹10 lakh each to support the creation and improvement of tourist accommodation infrastructure. Furthermore, to strengthen community-based tourism infrastructure, 3 registered tourism societies were awarded sanction letters of ₹5 lakh each for developing new tourism sites in the region.

Earlier, Smt Rosetta Kurbah, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Tourism, delivered the welcome address. She highlighted that the building demonstrates how local raw materials, low-

carbon, traditional knowledge, and modern science can be brought together, with the potential for the project to grow into a centre for learning, training, and research on ecological construction in the future.

Banisha Lyngdoh, President, Saitsnad Multipurpose Cooperative Society, praised the Hon’ble Chief Minister for his visionary leadership in driving community-centric development across Meghalaya. She commended his administration for bringing progress to once-overlooked rural areas through improved road connectivity, tourism growth, and youth entrepreneurship.

Highlighting the transformative impact, Esfulding Marwein, Secretary of the Saitsnad Multipurpose Cooperative Society, stated that they received multiple benefits through the project, describing it as a true blessing for their society and especially for their locality. He added that, more specifically, the project had taught them how to utilise raw materials in environmentally safe ways, providing them with sustainable tools to build for their future.

By pioneering eco-sustainable architecture and actively preserving historical narratives through initiatives like the Twahlongwar Open-Air Museum, the Government of Meghalaya continues to position the State as a premier global destination for responsible, community-driven tourism.

Dignitaries included Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Meghalaya; Shri Prestone Tynsong, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Meghalaya; Shri Timothy D. Shira, Hon’ble Tourism Minister, Meghalaya; Shri Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, Hon’ble MLA, Mawkyrwat; Shri Pius Marwein, Hon’ble MLA, Ranikor; Shri Ollan Singh Suin, Hon’ble MLA, Mawsynram; Shri Mayralborn Syiem, Hon’ble MLA, Nongpoh; Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh, Hon’ble MLA, Umsning; Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya; Smt Rosetta Kurbah, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya; Shri Niandro Syiemiong, Syiem of Hima Maharam; senior officials and heads of the communities.