In 1982, a remarkable journey quietly began when Kong Twian Nongrum, a 75-year-old knowledge holder and traditional healer from the village of Laitsohpliah in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, chose to make her home on a quiet, barren patch of land.
One night, she had an interesting dream.She dreamt of a woman who led her into a vibrant garden full of wild edibles, trees, and more. In the dream, the woman introduced her to various wild plants, explained how to care for them, and taught her which ones could be used to treat different illnesses. When she woke up the dream lingered in her mind. Driven by curiosity and inspiration, she ventured into the forest and to her amazement, she came across all the plants that she saw in her dream.
She recognised an opportunity to transform the landscape and breathe life back into the Earth. At the time, the area was little more than a stretch of sandy soil, dry, lifeless, and infertile. Where most would have seen only hardship and desolation, Kong Twian saw something else entirely; potential. With a deep sense of purpose, she made a choice that would not only reshape the land but also touch the lives of many in the years to come. Her first step was humble yet profound. She began planting trees. To her, trees were not just patches of green, but nature’s steadfast guardians. She believed their roots would anchor the soil, preventing erosion, while their presence would gradually revive the fertility and spirit of the land.
But her vision didn’t stop there. Kong Twian dreamed of an ecosystem that was both resilient and abundant. Alongside trees that could strengthen the soil, she introduced fruit-bearing species like bayberry (sohphie), pear (sohphoh), and mulberry (sohlyngdkhur). These would nourish the earth while also offering sustenance and economic value to the community. She also planted native tree species with strong root systems such as Alder tree (diengliengiong), erythrina variegata (diengsong), exbucklandia (diengdoh), and magnolia (diengrai), each chosen for their ability to hold the soil together and protect it from being washed away during the rains.
She also cultivates a variety of crops including potatoes, turmeric, sweet potatoes, black mustard, mustard greens, and much more. She also preserves seeds of traditional crops such as slipper gourd, millet, beans, pumpkin, and maize. In addition, she grows several fruit trees like bayberry, pear, guava, and others. Her land is also home to various beneficial trees including alder trees, erythrina variegata, exbucklandia, magnolia and many more.
She is committed to caring for the trees and medicinal plants, nurturing the soil through natural, chemical-free methods, and passing on this knowledge to the younger generation so they can carry forward these sustainable practices.
One of her main challenges is the inability to properly maintain the garden, as goats and cows often enter and eat the plants. Additionally, due to her old age, it has become difficult for her to carry and plant new trees or medicinal herbs.
“We all need trees and shrubs for the many benefits they bring. I encourage every community to nurture them in their gardens because trees are nature’s own fertilizer, cleansing the air and enriching the soil, especially for those who have received seeds from me”, shared Kong Twian.
She also hopes that she gets support for a fence for the garden, so she can protect and multiply the plants growing there.Kong Twain is also actively involved in seed saving-preserving native varieties for future generations.
Ibalamlynti Nongrum, community member, Laitsohpliah expressed, “The learnings I received from Kong Twian’s garden are a great example for us youth. One of the interesting things I noticed in her garden is the way she manages to diversify the plants; trees, shrubs, and even medicinal herbs that make the soil fertile. It was a big learning for me because I learned that such a small garden could produce so much. Her garden is also very unique compared to others because she took up the challenge to work on a barren land”. She also urges all community members to take this as an example so it can continue for generations to come.
This thriving garden stands as a powerful example of how Kong Twian, guided by ancestral knowledge and deep respect for the Earth, can restore biodiversity, strengthen food security, and inspire a new generation to walk in harmony with nature. What began over 40 years ago as a dream has now blossomed into a flourishing, vibrant ecosystem.
