Meghalaya
Meghalaya is around 2000 km. away from Delhi and it consists of 0.25% population of India. It is called the abode of clouds because of its wonderful scenic beauty. So it is definitely a state worth knowing.
| Topic | Data/Facts |
| 1 History | 1.1 Meghalaya means ‘Abode of Clouds’. 1.2 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. |
| 2 Geography | 2.1 Climate: (i) With average annual rainfall as high as 12,000 mm (470 in) in some areas, Meghalaya is the wettest place on earth. (ii) The western part of the plateau, comprising the Garo Hills region with lower elevations, experiences high temperatures for most of the year. (iii) The Shillong area, with the highest elevations, experiences generally low temperatures. 2.2 Agriculture: (i) Grains and staples production covers about 60% of the land area dedicated to crops. (ii) A major breakthrough was achieved when high yielding varieties of paddy 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. (iii) Oilseeds such as rapeseed, mustard, linseed, soybean, castor, and sesame are grown. (iv) Fiber crops such as cotton, jute, and mesta are among the only cash crops in Meghalaya, grown in Garo Hills. (v) Climatic conditions in Meghalaya permit a large variety of horticulture crops including fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, mushrooms, and medicinal plants. (vi) 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. (vii) 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 common. A large variety of spices, flowers, medicinal plants and mushrooms are grown in the state. 2.3 Natural Resources: Meghalaya has a rich base of natural resources. These include minerals such as coal, limestone, sillimanite, Kaolin and granite among others. 2.4 Major rivers: Someswari, Jinjiram, Kalu, Digaru, Kopili, Piyain and Myntdu. 2.5 Animals: (i) The important mammal species include elephants, bear, red pandas, small Indian civets, mongooses, weasels, rodents, gaur, wild buffalo, deer, wild boar and a number of primates. (ii) 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. (iii) The hoolock gibbon is found in all districts of Meghalaya. (iv) Common reptiles in Meghalaya are lizards, crocodiles and tortoises. (v) Meghalaya also has a number of snakes including the python, copperhead, green tree racer, Indian cobra, king cobra, coral snake and vipers. 2.6 Neighbouring States: Assam – North and East Bangladesh – South and West 2.7 Capital city: Shillong (The largest city) 2.8 Total Land Area: (i) Total area is 22,429 sq. km. (ii) 24th largest state in India. |
| 3 Forestry | 3.1 Forest: (i) Forest Cover: 17,118.79 sq. km. (ii) Very Dense Forest: 488.98 sq. km. (iii) Moderately Dense Forest: 9,267.29 sq. km. (iv) Open Forest: 7,362.52 sq. km. (Data as per ISFR 2019 assessment) 3.2 National Parks: (i) Balphakram National Park, South Garo Hills (ii) Nokrek National Park, West Garo Hills 3.3 Wild Life Sanctuary: (i) Baghmara Pitcher Plant Wildlife Sanctuary, Baghmara (ii) Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, Ri Bhoi (iii) Siju Wildlife Sanctuary, South Garo Hills (iv) Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary, Lumtongseng 3.4 Elephant Reserves: (i) Garo Hills (ii) Khasi Hills |
| 4 Economy | 4.1 Major Economic Data: (i) GDP Growth: 6.74% between 2015-16 and 2020-21 (ii) GDP: 0.35 trillion (US$ 4.79 billion) in 2019-20 (iii) GDP Rank: 27th (iv) Per Capita Income: 90 thousand Indian rupees in the financial year 2019 4.2 Industries: Major industries are as under: – (i) Meghalaya has a large forest cover, rich biodiversity, and numerous water bodies. (ii) Limestone production in Meghalaya stood at ~6.9 million tonnes in FY20. (iii) Exports of coal, coke and briquettes stood at US$ 0.70 million in FY21. (iv) In 2019, foreign tourist arrivals and domestic tourist visits in the state stood at 0.03 million and 1.25 million, respectively. |
| 5 Transportation | 5.1 Air, Railway and Road are the major modes of transportation in Meghalaya. 5.2 Other Important facts: 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. 5.3 Major Railway Stations (i) Mendipathar (ii) Nalbari 5.4 Major Air Ports: Domestic Airports: Shillong Airport |
| 6 Infrastructures | 6.1 Power installed Capacity: (i) Total Power: 612.33 MW (ii) Thermal: 160.31 MW (iii) Nuclear: 0 (iv) Hydro: 405.57 MW (v) Renewable Energy Source: 46.45 MW |
| 7 Census and Demography | 7.1 Demographic Data: (i) Population: 2,966,889 (29.67 Lakhs) (ii) Male: 1,491,832 (iii) Female: 1,475,057 (iv) Gender Ratio: 989 females per 1000 males (v) Population Growth: 27.95% (vi) Percentage of total population of the country: 0.25% (vii) Density: 132/sq. km. (viii) Rural Population: 2,371,439 (79.93%) (ix) Urban Population: 595,450 (20.07%) (x) 22nd most populous state in India (Based on 2011 census) 7.2 Major Religion followers: (i) Hinduism: 342,078 (11.53%) (ii) Christianity: 2,213,027 (74.59%) (iii) Islam: 130,399 (4.40%) (iv) Jainism: 627 (0.02%) (v) Buddhism: 9,864 (0.33%) (vi) Sikhism: 3,045 (0.10%) (Based on 2011 census) |
| 8 Culture | 8.1 Literature: Literary work is majorly found under categories: English 8.2 Major Poets & Authors: (i) Arundhati Roy (ii) Ithell Colquhoun (iii) Helen Giri Syiem (iv) Queenie Rynjah (v) Dhrubajyoti Bora (vi) Siddhartha Deb (vii) Daisy Hasan (viii) Anjum Hasan (ix) Dhruba Hazarika (x) Mufti Nurunnessa Khatun (xi) Janice Pariat (xii) Inderjit Kaur Barthakur 8.3 Major Festivals: (i) Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem (ii) Ka Pom-Blang Nongkrem (iii) Ka-Shad Shyngwiang-Thangiap (iv) Ka-Shad-Kynjoh Khaskain (v) Ka Bam Khana Shnong (vi) Umsan Nongkharai (vii) Shad Beh Sier (viii) Behdienkhlam (ix) Sowing Ritual Ceremony (x) Den Bilsia (xi) Wangala (xii) Rongchu gala (xiii) Mi Amua (xiv) Mangona (xv) Grengdik BaA (xvi) Jamang Sia (xvii) Ja Megapa (xviii) Sa Sat Ra Chaka (xix) Ajeaor Ahaoea (xx) Dore Rata Dance (xxi) Chambil Mesara (xxii) Do’KruSua (xxiii) Saram Cha’A (xxiv) A Se Mania (xxv) Pusne’ (xxvi) Biswe’ (xxvii) Kati Gasa (xxviii) Bastu Puje’ (xxix) Chor Maga 8.4 Folk Dance: (i) Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem (ii) Ka Pom-Blang Nongkrem (iii) Ka-Shad Shyngwiang-Thangiap (iv) Laho Dance 8.5 Major Religious Places: (i) Nartiang Durga Temple (ii) Matri Mandir (iii) Mahadev Khola Dham (iv) Borghat Temple (v) Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians (vi) The Shrine of Our Lady of Good Health (vii) Shillong Baptist church (viii) Nepal Christian Fellowship Church (ix) Litumukhrah Presbyterian Church (x) Dargah of Hazrat Shah Kamal Baba |
| 9 Education | 9.1 State Literacy Data: (i) Total: 1,785,005 (74.43%) (ii) Male: 913,879 (75.95%) (iii) Female: 871,126 (72.89%) 9.2 Major Universities: (i) North Eastern Hill University, Shillong (ii) Mahatma Gandhi University, Khanapara (iii) Martin Luther Christian University, Shillong (iv) MIT University, Shillong (v) William Carey University, Shillong (vi) ICFAI University, Tura (vii) CMJ University, Jorabat 9.3 Major Institutions: (i) IIM Shillong (ii) NIT Shillong (iii) University of Science and Technology, Baridua |
| 10 Tourism | 10.1 Meghalaya has an awesome natural beauty. So tourism is one of the most important industries in this state. 10.2 Major Tourist Spots: (i) Shillong (ii) Cherrapunji (iii) Umiam Lake (iv) Living Root Bridges (v) Elephant Falls (vi) Jakrem Hot Spring (vii) Bishop Falls (viii) Nohkalikai Falls (ix) Shadthm Falls (x) Weinia Falls (xi) Langshiang Falls (xii) Sweet Falls (xiii) Dawki Lake (xiv) Krem Liat Prah Cave |
| 11 Sports | 11.1 State Game: Meghalaya is famous for its several adventure sports as well as sports like Football. 11.3 International Players from the state: Football: (i) Phrangki Buam (ii) Aibanbha Dohling (iii) Niwan Gatpoh (iv) Freestar Kharbangar (v) Shaiborlang Kharpan (vi) Joy Mrong Kharraswai (vii) Aiborlang Khongjee (viii) Kynsailang Khongsit (ix) Bowari Khongstia (x) Milancy Khongstia (xi) Restomwell Khriam (xii) Rocus Lamare (xiii) Chesterpoul Lyngdoh (xiv) Damaitphang Lyngdoh (xv) Eugeneson Lyngdoh (xvi) Hardy Nongbri (xvii) Rupert Nongrum (xviii) Wailadmi Passah (xix) Poibang Pohshna (xx) Nabin Rabha (xxi) Ricky Shabong (xxii) Samuel Shadap (xxiii) Herring Shangpliang (xxiv) Bansharaj Sun (xxv) Ambilstar Sunn (xxvi) Marlangki Suting (xxvii) Redeem Tlang |
| 12 Governance & Administrative Divisions | 12.1 Administrative divisions: (i) Number of Districts: 12 ( Eastern west Khasi Hills- latest district created in 2021) (ii) Number of Tehsils: 39 (iii) Number of Urban Towns: 16 (iv) Number of Villages: 6,023 12.2 Official Languages: English 12.2A Official Script: Latin (Based on census-2011) 12.3 Constituent Facts: (i) Number of Assembly seats: 60 (ii) Number of Parliament seats: 02 (iii) Number of Rajya Sabha Seats: 01 (iv) Legislature: Unicameral 12.4 Chief Minister: Conrad Sangma (12th Chief Minister of Meghalaya) (1st Tenure-06 March, 2018 to 07 March, 2023) (2nd Tenure- 07 March, 2023 to Continue) First Chief Minister: Williamson A. Sangma (1970) 12.5 Governor: C H Vijayashankar (From 30 July, 2024) First Governor: Braj Kumar Nehru (1970) 12.6Judiciary: The Meghalaya High Court is the High Court of the state of Meghalaya. It was established on 23rd March 2013. (i) Number of Judges: 4 (ii) Judge Retirement Age: 62 |
| 13 Other Important facts | 13.1 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Garo Hills (Proposed) 13.2 GI Tags: (i) Memong Narang (ii) Khasi Mandarin 13.3 Number of Archaeological Sites: (i) Megalithic bridge known as Thul-Um-Wi (ii) Megalithic bridge (Um-Nyakanah) (iii) Megalithic bridge (iv) U-Mawthoh-dur (v) U-Maw-thodur-briew (vi) A tank (vii) Scott’s Monument (viii) Manipur Memorial 13.4 State Symbols: State Animal: Clouded Leopard State Bird: Hill Myna State Flower: Lady’s Slipper Orchid State Tree: Gamhar |
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