The village of Nongjrong in Meghalaya has announced a new regulation that will close its popular viewpoint and all tourist attractions every Sunday starting January 2026. The decision aims to preserve the environment and provide residents with a much-needed weekly day of rest amid rising tourist inflow. The Dorbar Shnong (village council) said that visitors will be barred from entering the area from Saturday night until the end of Sunday. All homestays will also close during this period. Community leaders said the village has struggled to cope with growing tourist numbers, especially on Sundays when essential services and shops remain closed.
Residents have raised concerns about insufficient parking, limited infrastructure and the constant movement of tourists disrupting daily life. The Dorbar stated that the weekly closure is necessary to maintain peace and prevent overcrowding. To regulate visitor numbers on other days, advance booking has been made mandatory for all tourists planning overnight stays. Visitors are advised to verify legitimate homestays through their Google Maps listings.
While acknowledging the inconvenience, village leaders appealed for public cooperation, emphasising that sustainability and community well-being are their top priorities. Nongjrong will remain open to tourists from Monday to Saturday under the new system.