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Coordinates: 25.57°N 91.88°E

Meghalaya
Meghalaya (UK: /meɪˈɡɑːləjə/,[3] US: /ˌmeɪɡəˈleɪə/)[4] is a state in
northeastern India. The name means "the abode of clouds" in
Meghalaya
Sanskrit. The population of Meghalaya as of 2016 is estimated to be State
3,211,474.[5] Meghalaya covers an area of approximately 22,430
Cherrapunji, one of the most
square kilometers, with a length to breadth ratio of about 3:1.[6] popular tourist attractions in Northeast
India, is located in Meghalaya and
The state is bounded to the south by the Bangladeshi divisions of holds the world record for most rain in
Mymensingh and Sylhet, to the west by the Bangladeshi division of a calendar month
Rangpur, and to the north and east by India's State of Assam. The Cherrapunji, one of the most popular
capital of Meghalaya is Shillong. During the British rule of India, the tourist attractions in Northeast India, is
located in Meghalaya and holds the
British imperial authorities nicknamed it the "Scotland of the East".[7]
world record for most rain in a calendar
Meghalaya was previously part of Assam, but on 21 January 1972, the month
districts of Khasi, Garo and Jaintia hills became the new state of
Meghalaya. English is the official language of Meghalaya. The other
principal languages spoken include Khasi, Garo, Pnar, Biate Hajong,
Assamese and Bengali. Unlike many Indian states, Meghalaya has
historically followed a matrilineal system where the lineage and
inheritance are traced through women; the youngest daughter Seal
inherits all wealth and she also takes care of her parents.[7]

The state is the wettest region of India, recording an average of

12,000 mm (470 in) of rain a year.[6] About 70% of the state is
forested.[8] The Meghalaya subtropical forests ecoregion encompasses
the state; its mountain forests are distinct from the lowland tropical
forests to the north and south. The forests are notable for their
biodiversity of mammals, birds, and plants.

Meghalaya has predominantly an agrarian economy with a significant

commercial forestry industry. The important crops are potatoes, rice,
maize, pineapples, bananas, papayas, spices, etc. The service sector is
made up of real estate and insurance companies. Meghalaya's gross
state domestic product for 2012 was estimated at ₹16,173 crore
(US$2.3 billion) in current prices.[9] The state is geologically rich in
minerals, but it has no significant industries.[7] The state has about Coordinates (Shillong): 25.57°N
1,170 km (730 mi) of national highways. It is also a major logistical
91.88°E
center for trade with Bangladesh.[6] Country India
Formation 21 January 1972†
In July 2018, the International Commission on Stratigraphy divided
the Holocene epoch into three,[10][11] with the late Holocene being Capital Shillong
called the Meghalayan stage/age,[12][13] since a speleothem in Largest city Shillong
Districts 11
Mawmluh cave indicating a dramatic worldwide climate event around
2250 BC had been chosen as the boundary stratotype.[14] Government
• Governor Tathagata Roy
• Chief Minister Conrad Sangma
(NPP)
Contents • Legislature Unicameral (60

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History seats)
Ancient • Parliamentary Rajya Sabha 1
Modern history constituency Lok Sabha 2
Geography
• High Court Meghalaya High
Climate
Court
Flora and fauna Area
Demographics • Total 22,429 km2
Population (8,660 sq mi)
Religion Area rank 23rd
Languages Population (2011 census)
Districts • Total 2,964,007
Education
• Rank 23rd[1]
Universities • Density 130/km2
Colleges (340/sq mi)

Government and politics Time zone UTC+05:30 (IST)

State government ISO 3166 code IN-ML
Local self-government
HDI Increase 0.650
Economy (medium)
Agriculture HDI rank 26th (2017)
Industry
Literacy 75.84% (24th)[1]
Electricity infrastructure
Education infrastructure
Official language English[2]
Health infrastructure Website meghalaya.gov.in
(http://meghalaya.
Urban areas
gov.in)
New proposal for urban areas
†
It received the status of a full-fledged State in
Culture and society
1971 by the North-Eastern Areas
Social institutions
(Reorganisation) Act 1971
Traditional political institutions
Festivals
Spirituality
Living Root Bridges
Transport
Road network
Railway
Aviation
Tourism
Major issues
Illegal immigration
Violence
Political instability
Jhum farming
Media
See also
References
Bibliography
External links

History

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Ancient
Meghalaya, along with the neighboring Indian states, have been of archeological interest. People have lived here since
Neolithic era. Neolithic sites discovered so far are located in areas of high elevation such as in Khasi Hills, Garo Hills
and neighboring states. Here neolithic style jhum or shifting cultivation is practiced even today. The highland plateaus
fed by abundant rains provided safety from floods and a rich soil.[15] The importance of Meghalaya is its possible role
in human history through domestication of rice. One of the competing theories for the origin of rice, is from Ian
Glover, who states, "India is the center of greatest diversity of domesticated rice with over 20,000 identified species
and Northeast India is the most favorable single area of the origin of domesticated rice."[16] The limited archeology
done in the hills of Meghalaya suggest human settlement since ancient times.[17]

Modern history
The British discovery of Camellia sinensis in 1834 in Assam and later companies to renting land from 1839
onwards.[18]

Meghalaya was formed by carving out two districts from the state of Assam: the United Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills,
and the Garo Hills on 21 January 1972. Before attaining full statehood, Meghalaya was given semi-autonomous status
in 1970.[19]

The Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia tribes had their own kingdoms until they came under British administration in the 19th
century. Later, the British incorporated Meghalaya into Assam in 1835.[7] The region enjoyed semi-independent status
by virtue of a treaty relationship with the British Crown. When Bengal was partitioned on 16 October 1905 by Lord
Curzon, Meghalaya became a part of the new province of Eastern Bengal and Assam. However, when the partition was
reversed in 1912, Meghalaya became a part of the province of Assam. On 3 January 1921 in pursuance of Section 52A
of the Government of India Act of 1919, the governor-general-in-council declared the areas now in Meghalaya, other
than the Khasi states, as "backward tracts." Subsequently, the British administration enacted the Government of India
Act of 1935, which regrouped the backward tracts into two categories: "excluded" and "partially excluded" areas.

At the time of Indian independence in 1947, present-day Meghalaya constituted two districts of Assam and enjoyed
limited autonomy within the state of Assam. A movement for a separate Hill State began in 1960.[19] The Assam
Reorganisation (Meghalaya) Act of 1969 accorded an autonomous status to the state of Meghalaya. The Act came into
effect on 2 April 1970, and an autonomous state of Meghalaya was born out of Assam. The autonomous state had a 37-
member legislature in accordance with the Sixth Schedule to the Indian constitution.

In 1971, the Parliament passed the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganization) Act, 1971, which conferred full statehood on
the autonomous state of Meghalaya. Meghalaya attained statehood on 21 January 1972, with a Legislative Assembly of
its own.[19]

Geography
Meghalaya is one of the Seven Sister States of northeast India. The state of
Meghalaya is mountainous, with stretches of valley and highland plateaus,
Meghalaya is mountainous, the
most rain-soaked state of India. The and it is geologically rich. It consists mainly of Archean rock formations.
word Meghalaya means, "abode of These rock formations contain rich deposits of valuable minerals like coal,
the clouds". Above is Laitmawsiang limestone, uranium and sillimanite.
landscape wrapped in fog.
Meghalaya has many rivers. Most of these are rainfed and seasonal. The
important rivers in the Garo Hills region are Ganol, Daring, Sanda,
Bandra, Bugai, Dareng, Simsang, Nitai and the Bhupai. In the central and eastern sections of the plateau, the
important rivers are Khri, Digaru, Umiam, Kynshi (Jadukata), Mawpa, Umiam or Barapani, Umngot and Myntdu. In
the southern Khasi Hills region, these rivers have created deep gorges and several beautiful waterfalls.

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The elevation of the plateau ranges between 150 m (490 ft) to 1,961 m
(6,434 ft). The central part of the plateau comprising the Khasi Hills has
Agriculture farms in Meghalaya
the highest elevations, followed by the eastern section comprising the
(above) are on hilly terrain.
Jaintia Hills region. The highest point in Meghalaya is Shillong Peak,
which is a prominent IAF station in the Khasi Hills overlooking the city of
Shillong. It has an altitude of 1961 m. The Garo Hills region in the western section of the plateau is nearly plain. The
highest point in the Garo Hills is Nokrek Peak with an altitude of 1515 m.

Climate
With average annual rainfall as high as 12,000 mm (470 in) in some areas, Meghalaya is the wettest place on earth.[20]
The western part of the plateau, comprising the Garo Hills region with lower elevations, experiences high
temperatures for most of the year. The Shillong area, with the highest elevations, experiences generally low
temperatures. The maximum temperature in this region rarely goes beyond 28 °C (82 °F),[21] whereas sub-zero winter
temperatures are common.

The town of Sohra (Cherrapunji) in the Khasi Hills south of capital Shillong holds
the world record for most rain in a calendar month, while the village of
Mawsynram, near Sohra (Cherrapunji), holds the record for the most rain in a
year.[22]

Flora and fauna

About 70% of the state is forested, of which 9,496 km2 (3,666 sq mi) is dense
primary subtropical forest.[8] The Meghalayan forests are considered to be among
the richest botanical habitats of Asia. These forests receive abundant rainfall and
support a vast variety of floral and faunal biodiversity. A small portion of the forest
area in Meghalaya is under what are known as "sacred groves" (see Sacred groves of
A sign board in Cherrapunji
India). These are small pockets of an ancient forest that have been preserved by the

Meghalaya's forests host 660 species of birds[23] and numerous species of other wildlife. Peacock pheasant
(top) and hoolock gibbon (bottom) are found in Meghalaya.[24]

communities for hundreds of years due to religious and cultural beliefs. These forests are reserved for religious rituals
and generally remain protected from any exploitation. These sacred groves harbour many rare plant and animal
species. The Nokrek Biosphere Reserve in the West Garo Hills and the Balphakram National Park in the South Garo
Hills are considered to be the most biodiversity-rich sites in Meghalaya. In addition, Meghalaya has three wildlife
sanctuaries. These are the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, the Siju Sanctuary, and the Baghmara Sanctuary, which is
also the home of the insect-eating pitcher plant Nepenthes khasiana also called "Me'mang Koksi" in local language.

Due to diverse climatic and topographic conditions, Meghalaya forests support a vast floral diversity, including a large
variety of parasites, epiphytes, succulent plants and shrubs. Two of the most important tree varieties are Shorea
robusta (sal tree) and Tectona grandis (teak). Meghalaya is also the home to a large variety of fruits, vegetables,
spices, and medicinal plants. Meghalaya is also famous for its large variety of orchids — nearly 325 of them. Of these,
the largest variety is found in the Mawsmai, Mawmluh and Sohrarim forests in the Khasi hills.

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Meghalaya also has a large variety of mammals, birds, reptiles and insects.[25] The
important mammal species include elephants, bear, red pandas,[26] civets,
Nepenthes khasiana
mongooses, weasels, rodents, gaur, wild buffalo,[27] deer, wild boar and a number
of primates. Meghalaya also has a large variety of bats. The limestone caves in
Meghalaya such as the Siju Cave are home to some of the nation's rarest bat species. The hoolock gibbon is found in all
districts of Meghalaya.[28]

Common reptiles in Meghalaya are lizards, crocodiles and tortoises. Meghalaya also has a number of snakes including
the python, copperhead, green tree racer, Indian cobra, king cobra, coral snake and vipers.[29]

Meghalaya's forests host 660 species of birds, many of which are endemic to Himalayan foothills, Tibet and Southeast
Asia. Of the birds found in Meghalaya forests, 34 are on worldwide threatened species list and 9 are on the critically
endangered list.[23] Prominent birds spotted in Meghalaya include those from the families of Phasianidae, Anatidae,
Podicipedidae, Ciconiidae, Threskiornithidae, Ardeidae, Pelecanidae, Phalacrocoracidae, Anhingidae, Falconidae,
Accipitridae, Otididae, Rallidae, Heliornithidae, Gruidae, Turnicidae, Burhinidae, Charadriidae, Glareolidae,
Scolopacidae, Jacanidae, Columbidae, Psittacidae, Cuculidae, Strigidae, Caprimulgidae, Apodidae, Alcedinidae,
Bucerotidae, Ramphastidae, Picidae, Campephagidae, Dicruridae, Corvidae, Hirundinidae, Cisticolidae, Pycnonotidae,
Sylviidae, Timaliidae, Sittidae, Sturnidae, Turdidae, Nectariniidae and Muscicapidae.[23] Each of these families have
many species. The great Indian hornbill is the largest bird in Meghalaya. Other regional birds found include the grey
peacock pheasant, the large Indian parakeet, the common green pigeon and the blue jay.[30] Meghalaya is also home
to over 250 species of butterflies, nearly a quarter of all butterfly species found in India.

Demographics

Population
Population Growth
Ethnic groups 2011: Census Pop. %±

Khasi: 34% 1951 606,000 —

Garo: 30.5% 1961 769,000 26.9%
Jaintia: 18.5%
1971 1,012,000 31.6%
Bengali: 7.5%
Nepali: 3.5% 1981 1,336,000 32.0%
Hajong: 1.2% 1991 1,775,000 32.9%
Biate: 1.1%
Koch: 1.0% 2001 2,319,000 30.6%
Tiwa (Lalung): 0.9% 2011 2,964,007 27.8%
Rabha: 0.8%
Source: Census of India[31]
Kuki: 0.5%
Shaikh: 0.3%
Other: 0.2%

Tribal people make up the majority of Meghalaya's population. The Khasis are the largest group, followed by the Garos
then the Jaintias. These were among those known to the British as "hill tribes." Other groups include the Hajongs, the
Biates, the Koches and related Rajbongshis, the Boros, Dimasa, Kuki, Lakhar, Tiwa (Lalung), Karbi, Rabha and Nepali.

Meghalaya recorded the highest decennial population growth of 27.82% among all the seven north-eastern states, as
per the provisional report of census 2011. The population of Meghalaya as of 2011 has been estimated at 2,964,007 of
which females comprise 1,492,668 and males 1,471,339. As per the census of India 2011, the sex ratio in the state was
986 females per 1,000 males which was far higher than the national average of 940. The urban female sex ratio of 985
was higher than the rural sex ratio of 972.[1]

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Religion
Meghalaya is one of three states in India to have a Christian majority. About
75% of the population practices Christianity, with Presbyterians, Baptists and
Catholics the more common denominations. The religion of the people in
Meghalaya is closely related to their ethnicity. Close to 90% of the Garo tribe
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.

Out of the 689,639 Garo living in Meghalaya, most were Christians as of 2001
Census, and only a few people living in remote areas follow the Songsarek
religion. Out of the 1,123,490 Khasi, most were Christians, 202,978 followed
the indigenous Niam Khasi/Shnong/Niamtre, 17,641 of the Khasi were Hindu
and 2,977 were Muslim. A number of minor tribes live in Meghalaya, including Religion in Meghalaya (2011)[32]
Hajong (31,381 – 97.23% Hindu), Koch (21,381 – 98.53% Hindu), Rabha
Christianity (74.59%)
(28,153 – 94.60% Hindu), Mikir (11,399 – 52% Christian and 30% Hindu),
Hinduism (11.52%)
Tiwa (Lalung) (8,438 - 96.15% Christian) and Biate(10,085 – 97.3%
Islam (4.39%)
Christian).
Sikhism (0.10%)
Conversion from indigenous to Christianity began in the 19th century under Buddhism (0.33%)
the British era. In 1830s, American Baptist Foreign Missionary Society had
Jainism (0.02%)
become active in Northeast to convert indigenous tribes to Christianity.[33]
Tribal religions (8.70%)
Later, they were offered to expand and reach into Cherrapunji Meghalaya, but
they lacked the resources to do so and declined. Welsh Presbyterian Mission Others (0.35%)

took the offer and they began work at the Cherrapunji mission field. By the
early 1900s, other Protestant denominations of Christianity were active in
Meghalaya. The outbreak of World Wars forced the preachers to return home to Europe and America. It is during this
period that Catholicism took root in Meghalaya and neighboring region. In the 20th century, Union Christian College
started operations at Barapani, Shillong. Currently, Presbyterians and Catholics are two most common Christian
denominations found in Meghalaya.[34]

Languages
English is the official language of the state.[36] The most spoken languages in Meghalaya are Khasi (33.82%) and Garo
(31.60%) followed by Pnar (10.69%), Bengali (6.44%), Nepali (1.85%), War (1.73%), Hindi (1.62%), Hajong (1.40%)
and Assamese (1.34%).[35]

Khasi (also spelled Khasia, Khassee, Cossyah, and Kyi) is a branch of the Mon–Khmer family of the Austroasiatic stock
and according to 2001 census, Khasi is spoken by about 1,128,575 people residing in Meghalaya. Many words in the
Khasi language have been borrowed from Indo-Aryan languages such as Assamese, Bengali and Nepali. Moreover, the
Khasi language originally had no script of its own. The Khasi language is one of the very few surviving Mon–Khmer
languages in India today.

The Garo language has a close affinity with the Koch and Bodo languages, a small family of Tibeto-Burman languages.
Garo, spoken by the majority of the population, is spoken in many dialects such as Abeng or Ambeng,[37] Atong,
Akawe (or Awe), Matchi Dual, Chibok, Chisak Megam or Lyngngam, Ruga, Gara-Ganching and Matabeng.

Pnar is spoken by many people of the both West and East Jaintia Hills. The language is related to the Khasi language.
Apart from the main languages, various local dialect are being spoken by the War Jaintia (West Jaintia Hills), Maram
and Lynngam (West Khasi Hills), War Pynursla (East Khasi Hills), Tiwa language by Tiwa peoples of Ri-Bhoi district.
Another example is the Biate language spoken by a large number of people inhabiting the south-eastern part of
Meghalaya bordering Assam.
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Indo-Aryan languages like Assamese, Bengali, Nepali and Hindi are spoken by
many people residing mostly in the East Khasi Hills district and the West Garo
Hills district.

English is spoken as a common language across the diverse ethnic and

demographic groups. In urban centres most of the people can speak English;
rural residents vary in their ability.

Districts
Meghalaya currently has 11 districts.[38]
Languages of Meghalaya in
Jaintia Hills: [35]
2011
West Jaintia Hills (Jowai)
Khasi (33.82%)
East Jaintia Hills (Khliehriat)
Garo (31.60%)
Khasi Hills Division:
Pnar (10.69%)
East Khasi Hills (Shillong) Bengali (6.44%)
West Khasi Hills (Nongstoin)
Nepali (1.85%)
South West Khasi Hills (Mawkyrwat)
Ri-Bhoi (Nongpoh) War (1.73%)

Garo Hills Division: Hindi (1.62%)

Hajong (1.40%)
North Garo Hills (Resubelpara)
Assamese (1.34%)
East Garo Hills (Williamnagar)
South Garo Hills (Baghmara) Others (9.51%)
West Garo Hills (Tura)
South West Garo Hills (Ampati)
The Jaintia Hills district was created on 22 February 1972. It has a total
geographical area of 3,819 square kilometres (1,475 sq mi) and a
population of 295,692 as per the 2001 census. The district headquarters
is in Jowai. Jaintia Hills district is the largest producer of coal in the
state. Coal mines can be seen all over the district. Limestone production
in the state is increasing, as there is high demand from cement
industries. Recently, the one big district was divided into two: West
Jaintia Hills and East Jaintia Hills

The East Khasi Hills district was carved out of the Khasi Hills on 28
October 1976. The district has covered an area of 2,748 square kilometres
(1,061 sq mi) and has a population of 660,923 as per the 2001 census.
The headquarters of East Khasi Hills is located in Shillong.
An aerial view of the state capital,
The Ri-Bhoi district was formed by the further division of East Khasi Shillong.
Hills district on 4 June 1992. It has an area of 2,448 square kilometres
(945 sq mi). The total population of the district was 192,795 in the 2001
census. The district headquarters is at Nongpoh. It has a hilly terrain, and a large part of the area is covered with
forests. The Ri-Bhoi district is famous for its pineapples and is the largest producer of pineapples in the state.

The West Khasi Hills district is the largest district in the state with a geographical area of 5,247 square kilometres
(2,026 sq mi). The district was carved out of Khasi Hills District on 28 October 1976. The district headquarters are
located at Nongstoin.

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The East Garo Hills district was formed in 1976 and has a population of 247,555 as per the 2001 census. It covers an
area of 2,603 square kilometres (1,005 sq mi). The District Headquarters are at Williamnagar, earlier known as
Simsangiri. Nongalbibra, a town in this district, has a large number of coal mines. The coal is transported to Goalpara
and Jogighopa via NH62.

The West Garo Hills district lies in the western part of the state and covers a geographical area of 3,714 square
kilometres (1,434 sq mi). The population of the district is 515,813 as per the 2001 census. The district headquarters are
located at Tura.

The South Garo Hills district came into existence on 18 June 1992 after the division of the West Garo Hills district.
The total geographical area of the district is 1,850 square kilometres (710 sq mi). As per the 2001 census the district
has a population of 99,100. The district headquarters are at Baghmara.

As of 2012, there are 11 districts, 16 towns and an estimated 6,026 villages in Meghalaya.[39]

Education
Meghalaya schools are run by the state government or by private
organisations, including religious institutions. Instruction is only in
English. Other Indian languages like Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, Garo,
Khasi, Mizo, Nepali & Urdu are taught as optional subjects. The secondary
schools are affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate
Examinations (CISCE), the Central Board for Secondary Education
(CBSE), the National Institute of Open School (NIOS) or the Meghalaya
Indian Institute of Management,
Board of School Education.
Shillong Campus
Under the 10+2+3 plan, after completing secondary school, students
typically enroll for two years in a junior college, also known as pre-
university, or in schools with a higher secondary facility affiliated with the Meghalaya Board of School Education or
any central board. Students choose from one of three streams: liberal arts, commerce or science. Upon completing the
required coursework, students may enroll in general or professional degree programs.

Universities
The English and Foreign Languages University, Techno Global University, Meghalaya
Shillong Campus[40] University of Technology and Management,
The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India Meghalaya
University, Meghalaya University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya
Mahatma Gandhi University, Nongpoh, Meghalaya (USTM), Meghalaya
Martin Luther Christian University, Meghalaya William Carey University, Meghalaya
North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong CMJ University, Shillong
National Institute of Technology, Meghalaya

Colleges
Acheng Rangmanpa College, Mahendraganj
Don Bosco College, Tura
Indian Institute of Management, Shillong
Kiang Nangbah Government College, Jowai
Lady Keane College, Shillong
National Institute of Technology, Meghalaya,
National Institute of Fashion Technology,
Northeast Adventist College, Thadlaskien

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North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical

Sciences,
North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homeopathy
Nongtalang College, Nongtalang
Nongstoin College, Nongstoin
Raid Laban College, Shillong
Regional Institute of Science and Technology
Ri-Bhoi College, Nongpoh
North-Eastern Hill University
St. Anthony's College, Shillong
Campus, Mawlai, Shillong
St. Edmund's College, Shillong
Saint Mary's College (Shillong)
Sankardev College, Shillong
Seng Khasi College, Shillong
Shillong College, Shillong
Shillong Commerce College, Shillong
Shillong Law College, Shillong
Sohra Government College, Cherrapunjee
Synod College, Shillong
Tikrikilla College, Tikrikilla W.Garo Hills
Tura Government College, Tura
Tura Law College, Tura
Union Christian College, Meghalaya
Women's College, Shillong

Government and politics

Meghalaya's current Governor is Tathagata Roy.[41]

State government
The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly has 60 members at present. Meghalaya has two representatives in the Lok Sabha,
one each from Shillong and Tura. It also has one representative in the Rajya Sabha.

Since the creation of the state the Gauhati High Court has jurisdiction in Meghalaya. A Circuit Bench of the Guwahati
High Court has been functioning at Shillong since 1974. However recently in March 2013 the Meghalaya High Court
was separated from the Gauhati High Court and now the state has its own High Court.

Local self-government
In order to provide local self-governance machinery to the rural population
of the country, provisions were made in the Constitution of India;
accordingly, the Panchayati Raj institutions were set up. However, on
account of the distinct customs and traditions prevailing in the northeast
region, it was felt necessary to have a separate political and administrative
structure in the region. Some of the tribal communities in the region had
their own traditional political systems, and it was felt that Panchayati Raj
institutions may come into conflict with these traditional systems. The
Sixth Schedule was appended to the Constitution on the recommendations
of a subcommittee formed under the leadership of Gopinath Bordoloi, and
the constitution of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) is provided in certain rural areas of the northeast including
areas in Meghalaya. The ADCs in Meghalaya are the following:

Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council

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Garo Hills Autonomous District Council

Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council

Economy
Meghalaya is predominantly an agrarian economy. Agriculture and allied activities engage nearly two-thirds of the
total workforce in Meghalaya. However, the contribution of this sector to the State's NSDP is only about one-third.
Agriculture in the state is characterised by low productivity and unsustainable farm practices. Despite the large
percentage of the population engaged in agriculture, the state imports food from other Indian states. Infrastructural
constraints have also prevented the economy of the state from creating high-income jobs at a pace commensurate with
that of the rest of India.

Meghalaya's gross state domestic product for 2012 was estimated at ₹16,173 crore (US$2.3 billion) in current prices.[9]
As of 2012, according to the Reserve Bank of India, about 12% of total state population is below poverty line, with
12.5% of the rural Meghalaya population is below the poverty line; while in urban areas, 9.3% are below the poverty
line.[42]

Agriculture
Meghalaya is basically an agricultural state with about 80% of its
population depending entirely on agriculture for their livelihood. Nearly Tea Plantation Agriculture in
10% of the geographical area of Meghalaya is under cultivation. Agriculture Meghalaya India on the way to
in the state is characterised by limited use of modern techniques, low Shillong
yields, and low productivity. As a result, despite the vast majority of the
population being engaged in agriculture, the contribution of agricultural
production to the state's GDP is low, and most of the population engaged in agriculture remain poor. A portion of the
cultivated area is under the traditional shifting agriculture known locally as Jhum cultivation.

Meghalaya produced 230,000 tonnes of food grains in 2001. Rice is the dominant food grain crop accounting for over
80% of the food grain production in the state. Other important food grain crops are maize, wheat, and a few other
cereals and pulses. Besides these, potato, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, areca nut, Bay leaf (Cinnamomum tamala),
betel, short-staple cotton, jute, mesta, mustard and rapeseed etc. are some of the important cash crops. Besides the
major food crops of rice and maize, the state is renowned for its horticultural crops like orange, lemon, pineapple,
guava, litchi, banana, jack fruits and fruits such as plum, pear, and peach.[43]

Grains and staples production covers about 60% of the land area dedicated
to crops. With the introduction of different crops of high yielding varieties
in the mid-1970s, a remarkable increase in food grain production has been
made. A major breakthrough was achieved when high yielding varieties of
paddy[44] such as Masuri, Pankaj IR 8, RCPL and other improved varieties
series – especially IR 36 which is suitable for Rabi season – allowing three
crops to be grown every year. Another milestone was reached when Megha
I and Megha II, which are cold tolerant rice varieties developed by the
Agriculture in Kukon, Meghalaya
ICAR North East Region at Umroi near Shillong, was released in 1991–92
for the higher altitude regions where there was no high yielding rice
varieties earlier. Today the state can claim that about 42% area under paddy has been covered with high yielding
varieties with the average productivity of 2,300 kg/ha (2,100 lb/acre). As is the case with maize and wheat where the
productivity have increased tremendously with the introduction of HYV from 534 kg/ha (476 lb/acre) during 1971–72
to 1,218 kg/ha (1,087 lb/acre) of maize and from 611 kg/ha (545 lb/acre) to 1,490 kg/ha (1,330 lb/acre) of wheat.[45]

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Oilseeds such as rapeseed, mustard, linseed, soybean, castor, and sesame are grown on nearly 100 km2 (39 sq mi).
Rape and mustard are the most important oilseeds[46] accounting for well over two-thirds of the oilseed production of
nearly 6.5 thousand tonnes. Fiber crops such as cotton, jute, and mesta are among the only cash crops in Meghalaya,
grown in Garo Hills.[47] These have been losing popularity in recent years as indicated by their declining yield and area
under cultivation.

Climatic conditions in Meghalaya permit a large variety of horticulture crops including fruits, vegetables, flowers,
spices, mushrooms, and medicinal plants.[43] These are considered to be higher value crops, but home food security
concerns have prevented farmers at large from embracing them. The important fruits grown include citrus fruits,
pineapples, papayas, and bananas. In addition to this, a large variety of vegetables are grown in the state, including
cauliflower, cabbages, and radishes.

Areca nut plantations can be seen all over the state, especially around the road from Guwahati to Shillong. Other
plantation crops like tea, coffee and cashews have been introduced lately and are becoming popular. A large variety of
spices, flowers, medicinal plants and mushrooms are grown in the state.

Industry
Meghalaya has a rich base of natural resources. These include minerals
such as coal, limestone, sillimanite, Kaolin and granite among others.
Meghalaya has a large forest cover, rich biodiversity, and numerous water
bodies. The low level of industrialisation and the relatively poor
infrastructure base acts as an impediment to the exploitation of these
natural resources in the interest of the state's economy. In recent years two
large cement manufacturing plants with production capacity more than
900 MTD have come up in Jaintia Hills district and several more are in
pipeline to use the rich deposit of very high-quality limestone available in View of MCL Cement plant,
this district. Thangskai, P.O. Lumshnong, Jaintia
Hills

Electricity infrastructure
Meghalaya with its high mountains, deep gorges, and abundant rains has a
large, unused hydroelectric potential. The assessed generation capacity
exceeds 3000 MW. The current installed capacity in the state is 185 MW,
but the state itself consumes 610 MW. In other words, it imports
electricity.[48] The economic growth of the state suggests rising demand for
electricity. The state has the potential to export net hydroelectric-generated
electricity and earn income for its internal development plans. The state
also has large deposits of coal, thus being a candidate for thermal power
Meghalaya has abundant but
plants. undeveloped hydroelectric
resources. Above is Mawphlang
Several projects are under works. The proposed Garo Hills thermal project
hydroelectric dam reservoir.
at Nangalbibra is expected to generate an additional 751 MW of power.
There is a proposal for setting up a 250 MW thermal power plant in West
Khasi Hills. The State Government aims to increase its power generation output by about 2000-2500 MW, of which
700-980 MW will be thermal based while 1400-1520 MW will be hydroelectricity. The State Government has outlined
a cost-shared public-private partnership model to accelerate private sector investments in its power sector.[49] The
generation transmission, transformation and distribution of electricity is entrusted to the Meghalaya Energy
Corporation Limited which was constituted under the Electricity Supply Act, 1948. At present, there are five hydel
power stations and one mini hydel including Umiam Hydel Project, Umtrew Hydel Project, Myntdu-Leshka-I Hydel
Project, and the Sunapani Micro Hydel (SESU) Project.
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For the 12th five-year plan of India, there is a proposal to set up more hydel power projects in the state: Kynshi (450
MW), Umngi −1 (54 MW), Umiam-Umtru -V (36 MW), Ganol (25 MW), Mawphu (120 MW), Nongkolait (120 MW),
Nongnaw (50 MW), Rangmaw (65 MW), Umngot (260 MW), Umduna (57 MW), Myntdu-Leshka-II (60 MW), Selim
(170 MW) and Mawblei (140 MW).[50] Of these, Jaypee Group has committed itself to building the Kynshi and
Umngot projects in Khasi hills.[51]

Education infrastructure
Meghalaya has a literacy rate of 62.56 as per the 2001 census and is the
27th most literate state in India. This increased to 75.5 in 2011. As of 2006,
the state had 5851 primary schools, 1759 middle schools, and 655 higher
secondary schools respectively. In 2008, 518,000 students were enrolled in
its primary schools, and 232,000 in upper primary schools. The state
monitors its school for quality, access, infrastructure and teachers
training.[52]

Institution for higher studies like Indian Institute of Management, the St. Edmund's School, Shillong
University of Technology and Management (USTM) which is in Shillong is
the first Indian university to introduce cloud computing engineering as a
field of study, in collaboration with IBM and the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies. IIM Shillong is one of
the top ranked management institutes in the country.[53]

Health infrastructure
The state has 13 state government dispensaries, 22 community health centres, 93 primary health centres, 408 sub-
centers. There were 378 doctors, 81 pharmacists, 337 staff nurses and 77 lab technicians as of 2012. A special program
has been launched by the state government for the treatment of tuberculosis, leprosy, cancer and mental diseases.
Though there has been a steady decline in the death rate, improvement in life expectancy and an increase in health
infrastructure, about 42.3% of the state's population is still uncovered by health care, according to the status paper
prepared by the Health Department. There are numerous hospitals being set up, both private and government, some
of them are Civil Hospital, Ganesh Das Hospital, K.J.P. Synod Hospital, NEIGRIHMS, North Eastern Institute of
Ayurveda & Homoeopathy (NEIAH), R P Chest Hospital, Wood Land Hospital, Nazareth Hospital, Christian Hospital
etc.

Urban areas
Municipalities: Shillong, Tura, Jowai
Municipal boards: Williamnagar, Resubelpara, Baghmara
Cantonment board: Shillong Cantonment (Umroi)
Town committees: Nongstoin, Nongpoh, Mairang
Census towns: Mawlai, Madanrting, Nongthymmai, Nongmynsong, Pynthorumkhrah, Sohra/Cherrapunjee,
Pynursla
Minor towns: Khliehriat, Mawkyrwat, Ampati
Areas under Shillong Urban Agglomoration: Shillong, Shillong Cantonment/Umroi, Mawlai, Madanrting,
Nongthymmai, Nongmynsong, Pynthorumkhrah

New proposal for urban areas

Municipal corporations: Shillong (including Shillong Cantonment/Umroi, Mawlai, Madanrting, Nongthymmai,
Nongmynsong, Pynthorumkhrah)
Municipalities: Tura, Jowai, Williamnagar

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Municipal boards: Resubelpara, Baghmara, Nongstoin, Nongpoh, Mairang, Khliehriat, Mawkyrwat, Ampati,
Sohra/Cherrapunjee
Town committees: Pynursla

Culture and society

The main tribes in Meghalaya are the Khasis, the Garos, and the Jaintias. Each tribe has its own culture, traditions,
dress, and language.

Social institutions
The majority of the population and the major tribal groups in Meghalaya
follow a matrilineal system where lineage and inheritance are traced
through women. The youngest daughter inherits all the property and she is
the caretaker of aged parents and any unmarried siblings.[7] In some cases,
such as when there is no daughter in the family or other reasons, the
parents may nominate another girl such as a daughter in law as the heir of
the house and all other property they may own.

The Khasi and Jaintia tribesmen follow the traditional matrilineal norm, Khasi girls
wherein the Khun Khatduh (or the youngest daughter) inherits all the
property and responsibilities for the family. However, the male line,
particularly the mother's brother, may indirectly control the ancestral property since he may be involved in important
decisions relating to property including its sale and disposal. In case a family has no daughters, the Khasi and Jaintia
(also called Syntengs) have the custom of ia rap iing, where the family adopts a girl from another family, perform
religious ceremonies with the community, and she then becomes ka trai iing (head of the house).[54]

In the Garo lineage system, the youngest daughter inherits the family property by default, unless another daughter is
so named by the parents. She then becomes designated as nokna meaning 'for the house or home'. If there are no
daughters, a chosen daughter-in-law (bohari) or an adopted child (deragata) comes to stay in the house and inherit
the property.

Meghalaya has one of the world's largest surviving matrilineal cultures.

Traditional political institutions

All the three major ethnic tribal groups, namely, the Khasis, Jaintias and the Garos also have their own traditional
political institutions that have existed for hundreds of years. These political institutions were fairly well developed and
functioned at various tiers, such as the village level, clan level, and state level.[55]

In the traditional political system of the Khasis, each clan had its own council known as the Dorbar Kur which was
presided over by the clan headman. The council or the Dorbar managed the internal affairs of the clan. Similarly, every
village had a local assembly known as the Dorbar Shnong, i.e. village Durbar or council, which was presided over by
the village headman. The inter-village issues were dealt with through a political unit comprising adjacent Khasi
Villages. The local political units were known as the raids, under by the supreme political authority is known as the
Syiemship. The Syiemship was the congregation of several raids and was headed an elected chief known as the Syiem
or Siem (the king).[55] The Siem ruled the Khasi state through an elected State Assembly, known as the Durbar Hima.
The Siem also had his mantris (ministers) whose counsel he would use in exercising executive responsibilities. Taxes
were called pynsuk, and tolls were called khrong, the latter being the primary source of state income. In the early 20th
century, Raja Dakhor Singh was the Siem of Khymir.[55]

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The Jaintias also had a three-tier Meghalaya Local Vedic Gregorian

political system somewhat similar to the festival[56] calendar month calendar month calendar month
Khasis, including the Raids and the Den'bilsia Polgin Phalgun February
Syiem.[57] The raids were headed by
A'siroka Chuet Chaitra March
Dolois, who were responsible for
A' galmaka Pasak Vaisakha April
performing the executive and ceremonial
functions at the Raid level. At the lowest Miamua Asal Asharha June
level were the village headmen. Each Rongchugala Bado Bhadra August
administrative tier had its own elected
Ahaia Asin Ashwin September
councils or durbars.
Wangala Gate Kartika October
In the traditional political system of the Christmas Posi Pausha December
Garos a group of Garo villages comprised
the A·king. The A·king functioned under the supervision of the Nokmas, which was perhaps the only political and
administrative authority in the political institution of the Garos. The Nokma performed both judicial and legislative
functions. The Nokmas also congregated to address inter-A·king issues. There were no well-organized councils or
durbars among the Garos.

Festivals

Khasis

Dance is central to the culture of Khasi life, and a part of the rites of
passage. Dances are performed in Shnong (village), a Raid (group of
villages), and a Hima (conglomeration of Raids). Some festivals includes
Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem, Ka Pom-Blang Nongkrem, Ka-Shad Shyngwiang-
Thangiap, Ka-Shad-Kynjoh Khaskain, Ka Bam Khana Shnong, Umsan
Nongkharai, Shad Beh Sier.[56]
Dance of Meghalaya
Jaintias

Festivals of the Jaintia Hills, like others, is integral to the culture of people
of Jaintia Hills. It celebrates nature, balance and solidarity among its people. Festivals of Jaintias includes
Behdienkhlam, Laho Dance, Sowing Ritual Ceremony.[56]

Garos

For Garos, festivals sustain their cultural heritage. They were often dedicated to religious events, nature and seasons
as well as community events such as stages of jhum cultivation. The main festivals of Garos are Den Bilsia, Wangala,
Rongchu gala, Mi Amua, Mangona, Grengdik BaA, Jamang Sia, Ja Megapa, Sa Sat Ra Chaka, Ajeaor Ahaoea, Dore
Rata Dance, Chambil Mesara, Do'KruSua, Saram Cha'A, A Se Mania or Tata which celebrated .[56]

Hajongs

Hajongs celebrate both traditional festivals and Hindu festivals. The entire plain belt of Garo Hills is inhabited by the
Hajongs, they are an agrarian tribe. Major traditional festivals include Pusne', Biswe', Kati Gasa, Bastu Puje' and Chor
Maga.

Biates

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The Biates have many kinds of festivals; Nûlding Kût, Pamchar Kût, Lebang Kût, Favang Kût etc. for different
occasion. However, unlike in the past, they no longer practise or observe those festivals except ‘Nûlding Kût.’ The
Nûlding Kût ("renewal of life") festival is observed every January, with singing, dancing, and traditional games—after
the Priest (Thiampu) pray to Chung Pathian to bless them in every sphere of life.

Spirituality
In southern Meghalaya, located in Mawsynram, is the Mawjymbuin cave. Here a massive stalagmite has been shaped
by nature into a Shivalinga. According to legend, from the 13th century, this Shivalinga (called Hatakeswarat) has
existed in the Jaintia Hills under the reign of Ranee Singa.[58] Tens of thousands of the Jaintia tribe members
participate over the Hindu festival of Shivratri (Night of Lord Shiva) every year.[59][60]

Living Root Bridges

The practice of creating Living root bridges can be found in
Meghalaya. Here, functional, living, architecture is created by
slowly training the Aerial roots of the Ficus elastica tree.
Examples of these structures can be found as far west as the
valley east of Mawsynram,[61] and as far east as the East Jaintia
Hills District,[62] meaning that they are made by both Khasis and
Jaintias. Large numbers[63] of these man-made living structures
exist in the mountainous terrain along the southern border of the
Shillong Plateau, though as a cultural practice they are fading,
Double-Decker Living root bridge, Nongriat with many individual examples having disappeared recently,
village. either falling in landslides or floods or being replaced with more
standard steel bridges.[64]

Transport
The partition of the country in 1947 created severe infrastructural constraints for the Northeastern region, with merely
2% of the perimeter of the region adjoining the rest of the country. A narrow strip of land often called the Siliguri
Corridor or the Chicken's Neck, connects the region with the state of West Bengal. Meghalaya is a landlocked state
with a large number of small settlements in remote areas. The road is the only means of transport. While the capital
Shillong is relatively well connected, road connectivity in most other parts is relatively poor. A significant portion of
the roads in the state is still unpaved. Most of the arrivals into the Meghalaya take place through Guwahati in
neighbouring Assam, which is nearly 103 km away. Assam has a major railhead as well as an airport with regular train
and air services to the rest of the country.

When Meghalaya was carved out of Assam as an autonomous state in 1972, it inherited a total road length of
2786.68 km including 174 km of National Highways with road density of 12.42 km per 100 square kilometre. By 2004,
total road length has reached up to 9,350 km out of which 5,857 km were surfaced. The road density had increased to
41.69 km per 100 square kilometre by March 2011. However, Meghalaya is still far below the national average of 75 km
per 100 km2. In order to provide better services to the people of the state, the Meghalaya Public Works Department is
taking steps for improvement and up-gradation of the existing roads and bridges in phased manner.[39]

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State Highway 5 near Cherapunjee, Shillong Bypass road

Meghalaya

Inside Shillong airport

Road network
Meghalaya has a road network of around 7,633 km, out of which 3,691 km is black-topped and the remaining 3942 km
is gravelled. Meghalaya is also connected to Silchar in Assam, Aizawl in Mizoram, and Agartala in Tripura through
national highways. Many private buses and taxi operators carry passengers from Guwahati to Shillong. The journey
takes from 3 to 4 hours. Day and night bus services are available from Shillong to all major towns of Meghalaya and
also other capitals and important towns of Assam and the northeastern states.

Railway
Meghalaya has a railhead at Mendipathar and regular train service connecting Mendipathar in Meghalaya and
Guwahati in Assam, has started on November 30, 2014.[65] The Cherra Companyganj State Railways was a former
mountain railway through the state.[66] Guwahati (103 kilometres (64 mi) from Shillong) is the nearest major railway
station connecting the north-east region with the rest of the country through a broad gauge track network. There is a
plan for extending the rail link from Guwahati to Byrnihat (20 kilometres (12 mi) from Guwahati) within Meghalaya
and further extending it up to state capital Shillong.

Aviation

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State capital Shillong has an airport at Umroi 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Shillong on the Guwahati-Shillong highway.
A new terminal building was built at a cost of ₹30 crore (US$4.3 million) and inaugurated in June 2011.[67] Air India
Regional operates flights to Kolkata from this airport. There is also a helicopter service connecting Shillong to
Guwahati and Tura. Baljek Airport near Tura became operational in 2008.[68] The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is
developing the airport for operation of ATR 42/ATR 72 type of aircraft.[69] Other nearby airports are in Assam, with
Borjhar, Guwahati airport (IATA: GAU), about 124 kilometres (77 mi) from Shillong.

Tourism
Earlier, foreign tourists required special permits to enter the areas that
now constitute the state of Meghalaya. However, the restrictions were
removed in 1955. Meghalaya is compared to Scotland for its highlands, fog,
and scenery.[7] Meghalaya has some of the thickest primary forests in the
country and therefore constitutes one of the most important ecotourism
circuits in India. The Meghalaya subtropical forests support a vast variety
of flora and fauna. Meghalaya has 2 National Parks and 3 Wildlife
Sanctuaries.

Meghalaya also offers many adventure tourism opportunities in the form of Elephanta Falls
mountaineering, rock climbing, trekking, and hiking, caving (spelunking)
and water sports. The state offers several trekking routes, some of which
also afford an opportunity to encounter rare animals. The Umiam Lake has
a water sports complex with facilities such as rowboats, paddleboats,
sailing boats, cruise-boats, water-scooters, and speedboats.

Cherrapunji is one of the popular tourist locations in north-east of India. It

lies to the south of the capital Shillong. A rather scenic 50-kilometre long
road connects Cherrapunji with Shillong.
Umiam Lake, Shillong, Meghalaya,
Living root bridges are also an important tourist draw, with many
India
examples located near Cherrapunji.[70] The famous Double-Decker root
bridge, along with several others, is found in the village of Nongriat, which
is tourist friendly. Many other root bridges can be found nearby, in the villages of Nongthymmai, Mynteng, and
Tynrong.[61] Other areas with root bridges include Riwai village, near the tourist village of Mawlynnong, Pynursla,
especially the villages of Rangthyllaing and Mawkyrnot, and the area around Dawki, in the West Jaintia Hills district,
where there are many living root bridges scattered throughout the nearby villages.[62]

Waterfalls and rivers

The popular waterfalls in the state are the Elephant Falls, Shadthum Falls, Weinia falls, Bishop Falls, Nohkalikai Falls,
Langshiang Falls and Sweet Falls. The hot springs at Jakrem near Mawsynram are believed to have curative and
medicinal properties.

Nongkhnum Island located in the West Khasi Hills district is the biggest river island in Meghalaya and the second
biggest in Asia. It is 14 kilometres from Nongstoin. The island is formed by the bifurcation of Kynshi River into the
Phanliang River and the Namliang River. Adjacent to the sandy beach the Phanliang River forms a very beautiful lake.
The river then moves along and before reaching a deep gorge, forms a pretty waterfall about 60 meters high called
Shadthum Fall.

Sacred groves

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Meghalaya is also known for

its "sacred groves". They are
small or large areas of
forests or natural vegetation
that are usually dedicated to
local folk deities or tree
spirits or some religious
symbolism over many
generations, often since
ancient times. These spaces
are found all over India, are
protected by local
Multiple drops of Nohkalikai Falls Main drop of Nohkalikai
Falls communities, and in some
cases, the locals would
Nohkalikai Falls is one of the tallest plunge type waterfalls in India and on Earth.[71]
neither touch leaves or fruits
or in other ways damage the
forest, flora or fauna taking refuge in them. This guardianship creates a sacred area where nature and wildlife thrive.
The Mawphlang sacred forest, also known as "Law Lyngdoh," is one of the most famous sacred forests in Meghalaya.
It's located about 25 kilometers from Shillong. It's a scenic nature destination, and one can find the sacred Rudraksha
tree here.[72]

Rural areas

Meghalaya rural life and villages offer a glimpse in northeast mountain life. The Mawlynnong village located near the
India-Bangladesh border is one such village. It has been featured by travel magazine Discover India.[73] The village is
geared for tourism and has a Living Root Bridges, hiking trails and rock formations.

Lakes

Meghalaya also has many natural and manmade lakes. The Umiam
Lake (popularly known as Bara Pani meaning Big water) on the
Guwahati-Shillong road is a major tourism attraction for tourist.
Meghalaya has several parks; Thangkharang Park, the Eco-park,
the Botanical Garden and Lady Hydari Park to name a few. Dawki,
which is located at about 96 Kilometres from Shillong is the
gateway to Bangladesh and affords a scenic view of some of the
tallest mountain ranges in Meghalaya and the Bangladesh
borderlands.

Balpakram National Park with its pristine habitat and scenery is a

Umaim lake (top) and scenery near Shillong.
major attraction.[74] The Nokrek National Park, also in Garo Hills
has its own charm with a lot of wildlife.[75]

Caves

Meghalaya has an estimated 500 natural limestone and sandstone caves spread over the entire state including most of
the longest and deepest caves in the sub-continent. Krem Liat Prah is the longest cave, and Synrang Pamiang is the
deepest cave. Both are located in the Jaintia Hills. Cavers from the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Ireland, and
the United States have been visiting Meghalaya for over a decade exploring these caves. Not many of these have
however been developed or promoted adequately for major tourist destinations.

Living root bridges

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Meghalaya is famous for its living root bridges, a kind of suspension bridge
made over rivers using intertwined roots of Ficus elastica trees planted on
opposite banks of the river or hill slopes. These bridges can be seen around
Cherrapunji, Nongtalang, Kudeng Rim and Kudeng Thymmai villages (War
Jaintia). A double-decker bridge exists in Nongriat village.

A double-decker living root bridge in

Nongriat, Meghalaya

Shillong Golf Course, one of the Nohkalikai Falls

oldest golf courses of India

Meghalaya has many limestone

caves. Above are in Jaintia Hills

Other important places of tourism interest Meghalaya include:

Jakrem: 64 km from Shillong, a potential health resort having gushing hot-spring of sulphur water, believed to
have curative medicinal properties.
Ranikor: 140 km from Shillong, a place of scenic beauty. Ranikor is one of Meghalaya's most popular spots for
angling, with an abundance of carp and other freshwater fish.
Dawki: 96 km from Shillong, is a border town, where one can have a glimpse of the neighbouring country of
Bangladesh. The colourful annual boat race during spring at the Umngot river is an added attraction.
Kshaid Dain Thlen Falls: Located near Sohra, meaning the falls where the mythical monster of Khasi legend
was finally butchered. The axe-marks made on the rocks where Thlen was butchered are stillintact and visible.
Diengiei Peak: Located to the west of the Shillong plateau, Diengiei Peak is just 200 feet lower than Shillong
peak. On the top of Diengiei, there is a huge hollow, shaped like a cup, believed to be the crater of an extinct pre-
historic volcano.
Dwarksuid: A beautiful pool with wide, rocky sandbanks located on a stream alongside the Umroi-Bhoilymbong
Road is known as Dwarksuid or Devil's doorway.
Kyllang Rock: Located about 11 kilometres off Mairang, is a several million years old steep dome of red granite
rising to an elevation of about 5400 feet above sea level.

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Sacred Forest Mawphlang: One of the most celebrated sacred-groves of the State is the grove at Mawphlang
about 25 kilometres off Shillong. Preserved since time immemorial, these sacred groves have wide range of flora,
thick cushion of humus on the grounds accumulated over the centuries, and trees heavily loaded with epiphytic
growth of aroids, pipers, ferns, fern-allies and orchids.

Major 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.

Illegal immigration
Illegal immigration has become a major issue in Indian states that surround Bangladesh – West Bengal to the west,
Meghalaya and Assam to the north, and Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur to the east. Millions of Bangladeshis have
poured into India as Indian economy has prospered. The influx of Bangladeshi people is stated to be an effort to
escape violence, to escape poverty or to escape religious persecution of Hindus in an overwhelmingly Islamic
Bangladesh.Dozens of political and civic groups have demanded that this migration be stopped or controlled or
managed to manageable levels.[76] The border between Meghalaya and Bangladesh is about 440 kilometers long, of
which some 350 is fenced; but the border is not continuously patrolled and is porous. Efforts are underway to fence it
completely and introduce means to issue ID cards.[77]

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, in August 2012, called upon Government of India to take corrective measures to stop
the illegal immigration of Bangladeshis into the northeast of the country before the situation goes out of hand.[78]

Violence
Between 2006 and 2013, between 0 and 28 civilians have died per year in Meghalaya (or about 0 to 1 per 100,000
people), which the state authorities have classified as terror-related intentional violence.[79] The world's average
annual death rate from intentional violence, in recent years, has been 7.9 per 100,000 people.[80] The terror-related
deaths are from conflicts primarily between different tribal groups and against migrants from Bangladesh. Along with
political resolution and dialogue, various Christian organizations have taken the initiative to prevent violence and help
the process of discussion between groups.[81]

Political instability
The state has had 23 state governments since its inception in 1972, with a
median life span of fewer than 18 months. Only three governments have
survived more than three years. Political instability has affected the state's
economy in the past.[82] Over recent years, there has been increasing
political stability. The last state assembly elections were held in 2013, after
a five-year government that was elected in 2008.[83]
Jhum cultivation, or cut-and-burn
shift farming, in Nokrek Biosphere
Reserve of Meghalaya.
Jhum farming
Jhum farming, or cut-and-burn shift cultivation, is an ancient practice in
Meghalaya.[17] It is culturally engrained through folklores. One legend states the god of wind with the god of hail and
storm shook off seeds from the celestial tree, which were picked up and sown by a bird known as do' amik. These were
the seeds of rice. The god gave the human beings some of those celestial seeds, provided instruction on shift
agriculture and proper rice cultivation practice, with the demand that at every harvest a portion of the first harvest
must be dedicated to him. Another folktale is from the Garo Hills of Meghalaya where a man named Bone-Neripa-

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Jane-Nitepa harvested rice and millet from a patch of land he cleared and cultivated near the rock named misi-
Kokdok. He then shared this knowledge with others, and named the different months of the year, each of which is a
stage of shifting cultivation.[84]

In modern times, shift cultivation is a significant threat to the biodiversity of Meghalaya.[85] A 2001 satellite imaging
study showed that shift cultivation practice continues and patches of primary dense forests are lost even from areas
protected as biosphere.[86] Jhum farming is a threat not only for natural biodiversity, it is also a low yield
unproductive method of agriculture. It is a significant issue in Meghalaya, given majority of its people rely on
agriculture to make a living.[87][88] Shift farming is a practice that is not unique to northeastern Indian states such as
Meghalaya, but the issue is found throughout southeast Asia.[89]

Media
Some major media outlets in the state are:

Meghalaya Times: Meghalaya Times is one of the new entrants in the market and the fastest growing English
newspaper in the state. In a short period of time, it has already established large readership across the state.
Salantini Janera: Salantini Janera is the first Garo language Daily of the state
Shillong Samay: Shillong Samay is the first Hindi Daily of the State.
Shillong Times: Shillong Times is one of the oldest English newspapers of the region.
The Meghalaya Guardian: The Meghalaya Guardian is one of the oldest newspaper of the state.
Over the years there have been several weeklies and Dailies that have come up. To name a few:

The Tura Times: The Tura Times is the first English Daily which is published out from Tura.
Salantini Ku'rang: Salantini Ku'rang is the Garo edition of The Tura Times, Pringprangni Aski being the most
recent Garo language newspaper to circulate.
U Nongsaiñ Hima: U Nongsaiñ Hima is the oldest circulating Khasi newspaper in Meghalaya. Established in
December 1960, it is now the highest circulated Khasi daily (ABC July – December 2013).
Weekly Employment Newsletter which is distributed throughout the state:

Shillong Weekly Express: Weekly Newsletter that was started on 2010.

Eclectic northeast

See also
Tourism in North East India
Outline of India
West Bengal
Index of India-related articles
Bibliography of India
India – Wikipedia book

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Bibliography
Roy, Hira Lal Deb (1981). A Tribe in Transition. Cosmo.

External links
Government

Official website (http://meghalaya.gov.in/)

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Official Tourism Site of Meghalaya (http://megtourism.gov.in/)

General information

Meghalaya (https://www.britannica.com/place/Meghalaya) Encyclopædia Britannica entry

Meghalaya (https://curlie.org/Regional/Asia/India/Meghalaya) at Curlie
Geographic data related to Meghalaya (https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/2027521) at OpenStreetMap

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