The Dawki river flows along the India-Bangladesh border. The river is locally known as the Umngot river. The Dawki river is well known for its clear water which makes it a unique destination in a country with polluted rivers. The emerald green water of the Dawki river has been a topic of discussion in social media recently and caught the attention of travelers and naturalists.

Zero pollution is the prime reason behind the uniquely clear water here. The Dawki village is situated in the banks of the river Dawki. The village has no factories or other sources of pollution and is nearly untouched by the waves of urbanization. The major part of the population in Dawki is constituted by the ‘Khasi’ people notorious for their hostile behavior, but my experience was exactly the opposite. They were kind and excellent hosts.

The main sources of income for the villagers are fishing and tourism. Boating through the Dawki river is one of the most tempting tourist activity here. It costs about 400INR per head and maybe even higher during active seasons. The fish from the Dawki river is delicious and is on-demand, probably due to the absence of pollution. Dawki women, the children, the young, and the aged ones spend their evenings in the river with fishing rods in their hands, a profitable fun activity. The emerald green water dotted with the fishermen boats is a perfect scene to watch and a memory to cherish for a lifetime.

Since my trip was during the off-season, I got a chance to explore the place peacefully and interact closely with the villagers. The opposite bank of the river belongs to Bangladesh. My boatman was careful while riding closer to the opposite bank. Dawki trip is one of the trips I always wish to recollect.

The friendship between the Indian and Bangladesh soldiers in this border was quite heartwarming to witness unlike the loathy relationship between the Indian and Chinese soldiers in the Nathula pass. A group of Bangla girls came to the Indian side offered me tea and we had a friendly talk. I realized that friendship and love have no borders. As it is said we can find a ‘Malayali’ in every corner of the world, I could find a few here too.

The Dawki village and river lie in Meghalaya, 80 Km from Guwahati airport. On my way, I saw the cleanest Asian village-Mawlynnong, the seven sister waterfall, the ‘double-decker living bridge’, and the famous Chirapunchi, a name we all learned in our primary classes. This series of picturesque wonders of nature will satisfy the lust of a travel addict. The memories of talking with the villagers of Dawki in our own languages and the taste of the luscious fish of Dawki have not yet left my heart.