MEGHALAYA (pop 3,220,000 – Shillong, West/East/South Garo Hills, Khasi Hills) (“abode of clouds”). Meghalaya was formed by carving out two districts from the state of Assam: the United Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills, and the Garo Hills in1972. Area 22,430 square kilometres, with a length-to-breadth ratio of about 3:1.
The state is bound to the south and west by the Bangladesh and to the north and east by Assam. The capital of Meghalaya is Shillong. During the British rule of India, the British imperial authorities nicknamed it the “Scotland of the East”. English is the official language of Meghalaya. Meghalaya has historically followed a matrilineal system where the lineage and inheritance – the youngest daughter inherits all wealth and she also takes care of her parents.
The state is the wettest region of India, with the southern Khasi Hills recording 470 in a year. About 70 percent is subtropical mountain forests noted for their biodiversity.
Meghalaya is agrarian (potatoes, rice, maize, pineapples, bananas, papayas, spices) with a significant commercial forestry industry. The state is geologically rich in minerals, but it has no significant industries.
History. Present since Neolithic times. The highland plateaus fed by abundant rains provided safety from floods and a rich soil. In 1304, Islam introduced. The Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia tribes had their own kingdoms until the British in 1835.
Terrain. It is mountainous, with valley and highland plateaus, and it is geologically rich: coal, limestone, uranium and sillimanite.
Meghalaya has many rivers. most rainfed and seasonal. In the southern Khasi Hills region, these rivers have created deep gorges and several waterfalls.
The elevation of the plateau is 150 m to 1,961 m. The central Khasi Hills are highest followed by the eastern Jaintia Hills region. Shillong Peak (1961 m) overlooks Shillong. The western Garo Hills is nearly plain with Nokrek Peak at 1515 m.
Climate. With average annual rainfall as high as 470 in) in some areas, Meghalaya is the wettest place on earth. The western Garo Hills are lower and have high temperatures for most of the year. The higher Shillong area has generally low temperatures with maximums rarely above 28 °C and sub-zero winter temperatures are common.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Ethnic groups: Khasi: 34%, Garo: 30.5%, Jaintia: 18.5%, Bengali: 8.5%, Nepali: 2.5%, Hajong: 1.2%, Biate: 1.1%, Koch: 1.0%, Tiwa (Lalung): 0.9%, Rabha: 0.8%, Kuki: 0.5%. Tribal people make up the majority and were known to the British as “hill tribes.”
The main tribes in Meghalaya are the Khasis, the Garos, and the Jaintias. Each tribe has its own culture, traditions, dress, and language.
Religion: Christianity (74.59%), Hinduism (11.52%), Islam (4.39%), Buddhism (0.33%), Tribal religions (8.70%)
Presbyterians, Baptists and Catholics are the more common denominations. The religion is closely related to their ethnicity – 90% of Garo and nearly 80% of the Khasi are Christian, while more than 97% of the Hajong, 98.53% of the Koch, and 94.60% of the Rabha tribes are Hindu.
Languages. Khasi (33.82%), Garo (31.60%), Pnar (10.69%), Bengali (6.44%), Nepali (1.85%), War (1.73%), Hindi (1.62%). English is the official language of the state.
REGIONS and their capitals
Jaintia Hills 3,819 km2, population 295,692. Jowai. The largest producer of coal and limestone for cement.
East Khasi Hills. 2,748 km2, population 660,923. Shillong. Ri-Bhoi division of East Khasi Hills, 2,448 km2, 192,795 people. Nongpoh. Hilly with forests. Pineapples
West Khasi Hills 5,247 km2. Nongstoin.
East Garo Hills. Population 247,555, 2,603 km2. Williamnagar. Nongalbibra has many coal mines. The coal is transported to Goalpara and Jogighopa via NH62.
West Garo Hills 3,714 km2, population 515,813. Tura.
South Garo Hills 1,850 km2, population 99,100. Baghmara.
GET AROUND
By road. Meghalaya is a landlocked state with many small settlements in remote areas and roads are the only means of transport. While the capital Shillong is relatively well connected, road connectivity in most other parts is relatively poor and unpaved. Most arrive by Guwahati in neighbouring Assam, only 103 km away.
Issues. The significant issues in the state include illegal migrants from Bangladesh, incidences of violence, political instability and deforestation from traditional cut-and-burn shift farming practices. There are several clashes between Khasi people and Bangladeshi Muslims in Meghalaya.
NOMAD MANIA India – Meghalaya (Shillong, West/East/South Garo Hills, Khasi Hills)
Tentative WHS: Garo Hills Conservation Area (GHCA)
Borders: Bangladesh-India
World of Nature
Balphakram NP
Cherrapunji-Mawsynram Reserve Forest
Narpuh Reserved Forest
Nokrek NP
Waterfalls
Elephant Falls
Kynrem Falls
Nohkalikai Falls
Nohsngithiang Falls
Seven Sisters Fall
Wei Sawdong
Caves
East Khasi Hills: Arwah Cave
East Khasi Hills: Garden Of Caves
East Khasi Hills: Krem Puri Cave
East Khasi Hills: Mawsmai Cave
West Jaintia Hills: Umlawan Cave
Pedestrian Bridges: Nongriat living root bridges
Indigenous Peoples: Khasis
Villages and Small Towns: Mawlynnong
SHILLONG*
Museums: Shillong: Don Bosco Museum
Botanical Gardens; Shillong Botanical Garden
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India – Arunachal Pradesh (Itanagar)
NOMAD MANIA India – Arunachal Pradesh (Itanagar)
M@P: Vijaynagar Telshil (Arunachal Pradesh extreme southeast)
Tentative WHS
Apatani Cultural Landscape (15/04/2014)
Namdapha National Park (15/03/2006)
Thembang Fortified Village (15/04/2014)
Borders
Bhutan-India
India-Myanmar
XL: Arunachal Pradesh extreme east (Tezu)
Museums: Itanagar: Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum
World of Nature
Mouling NP
Namdapha NP
Pakke Tiger Reserve
Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary
Rivers
Brahmaputra River
Lohit/Zayü River
Waterfalls: Jung falls (Nuranang falls)
Pedestrian Bridges: West Siang: Komsing Hanging Bridge
Indigenous Peoples:
Apatanis
Mishmis
Monpas
Nyshis
Singphos
Villages and Small Towns
KOMSING & TRIBAL VILLAGES
ZIRO
Festivals: Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
TAWANG*
Religious Temples: Tawang: Tawang Monastery
Monuments: Tawang: Tawang War Memorial
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India – Nagaland (Kohima, Dimapur, Mon, Wokha)
NOMAD MANIA India – Nagaland (Kohima, Dimapur, Mon, Wokha)
Borders: India-Myanmar
Villages and Small Towns
Nagaland-Mon: Longwa Village
Khonoma Eco Village
Naga Heritage Village
Airports: Dimapur (DMU)
Railway, Metro, Funiculars, Cable Cars: Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express
Museums: Kohima: Nagaland State Museum
World of Nature: Ntangki NP
Festivals: Hornbill, Kohima
Caves: Nagaland-Mokokchung: Langpangkong Caves
Indigenous Peoples
Angamis
Aos
Khasis
Konyaks
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India – Manipur (Imphal, Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong)
NOMAD MANIA India – Manipur (Imphal, Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong)
Tentative WHS: Keibul Lamjao Conservation Area (11/03/2016)
Borders: India-Myanmar
World of Nature
Keibul Lamjao NP
Lokchao Wildlife Reserve
Shirui NP
Lakes: Loktak Lake
Waterfalls: Imphal West: Sadu Chiru waterfalls
Caves: Khangkhui Khullen Mangsor Cave
Indigenous Peoples: Tangkhul Naga
IMPHAL*
Airports: Imphal (IMF)
Museums: Manipur State Museum
Markets: Khwairamband Bazar
Monuments: Shaheed Minar
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India – Mizoram (Aizawl, Kolasib, Mamit, Saiha, Champai)
NOMAD MANIA India – Mizoram (Aizawl, Kolasib, Mamit, Saiha, Champai)
Borders
Bangladesh-India
India-Myanmar
XL: Southern Mizoram (Lunglei)
Villages and Small Towns
Reiek
Airports: Aizawl (AJL)
Museums: Aizawl: Mizoram State Museum
World of Nature
Murlen NP
Phawngpui Blue Mountain NP
Rivers: Kaladan River
Waterfalls: Vantawng Falls
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India – Tripura (Agartala, Ambasa, Kailashahar)
NOMAD MANIA India – Tripura (Agartala, Ambasa, Kailashahar)
Borders: Bangladesh-India
XL: Tripura southwestern Panhandle
Airports: Agartala (IXA)
Castles, Palaces, Forts: Tripura – Agartala: Ujjayanta Palace
Vestiges of the Past
Pilak Historical Palace (Shyam Sundar Ashram)
Unakoti
World of Nature: Rajbari NP (Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary)
