Meghalaya - Revision history

Jyoti: /* FESTIVALS */

2019-01-29T07:25:16Z

‎FESTIVALS

Jyoti: /* Mines */

2018-12-23T06:08:35Z

‎Mines

Jyoti: /* Wildlife parks and sanctuaries: India */

2018-12-23T06:06:14Z

‎Wildlife parks and sanctuaries: India

Jyoti: /* Meghalaya */

2017-11-05T15:44:00Z

‎Meghalaya

Pdewan at 10:09, 5 November 2017

2017-11-05T10:09:40Z

Pdewan: /* Meghalaya : The Scheduled Tribes Census of India 2001 */

2015-11-08T10:12:29Z

‎Meghalaya : The Scheduled Tribes Census of India 2001

Pdewan at 19:29, 19 June 2015

2015-06-19T19:29:58Z

Show changes

Pdewan at 17:33, 19 January 2014

2014-01-19T17:33:37Z

Pdewan: Created page with "{| class="wikitable" |- |colspan="0"|
This article has been sourced from an authoritative, official
publication. Therefore, it has been ‘lo..."

2013-12-20T17:54:29Z

Created page with "{| class="wikitable" |- |colspan="0"|<div style="font-size:100%"> This article has been sourced from an authoritative, official <br/>publication. Therefore, it has been ‘lo..."

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{| class="wikitable"
|-
|colspan="0"|<div style="font-size:100%">
This article has been sourced from an authoritative, official <br/>publication. Therefore, it has been ‘locked’ and will never be <br/> thrown open to readers to edit or comment on.<br/>

After the formal launch of their online archival encyclopædia, <br/> readers who wish to update or add further details can do so on <br/> a ‘Part II’ of this article. </div>
|}
[[Category:India|M]]
[[Category:Places|M]]
[[Category:Name|Alphabet]]
[[Category:Name|Alphabet]]

==The source of this article==
''' INDIA 2012 '''

A REFERENCE ANNUAL

'' Compiled by ''

RESEARCH, REFERENCE AND TRAINING DIVISION

PUBLICATIONS DIVISION

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

=Meghalaya=

Area : 22,429 sq km

Population : 29,64,007 (Prov. 2011 Census)

''' Capital : ''' Shillong

Principal Languages : Khasi, Garo and English

==HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY==

Meghalaya was created as an autonomous State within the State of Assam on 2
April 1970. The full-fledged State of Meghalaya came into existence on 21 January
1972. It is bounded on the north and east by Assam and on the south and west by
Bangladesh. Meghalaya literally means ‘the Abode of Clouds’ and is essentially a
hilly State. It is predominately inhabited by the Khasis, the Jaintias and the Garos
tribe communities. The Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills which form the central and
eastern part of Meghalaya form an imposing plateau with rolling grassland, hills
and river valleys. The southern face of the plateau is marked by deep gorges and
abrupt slopes, at the foot of which, a narrow strip of plain land runs along the
international border with Bangladesh.

==AGRICULTURE==

Meghalaya is basically an agricultural State in which about 81 per cent of its
population depends primarily on agriculture for their livelihood. The State has a
vast potential for development of horticulture due to the agro-climatic variations,
which offer much scope for cultivation of temperate, sub-tropical and tropical fruits
and vegetables.

Besides major food crops of rice and maize, Meghalaya is renowned for its
orange (Khasi Mandarian), pineapples, bananas, jackfruit, temperate fruits like plum,
pear and peach, etc. Cash crops, popularly and traditionally cultivated include
potato, turmeric, ginger, black pepper, arcanut, bedeviling, tapioca, short staple
cotton, jute and mesta, mustard and rapeseed. Special emphasis is presently being
laid on non-traditional crops like oilseeds (groundnut, soyabean and sunflower),
cashewnut, strawberry, tea and coffee, mushroom, medicinal plants, orchids and
commercial flowers.

==INDUSTRIES==

The Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation Limited, as the Industrial and
Financial Institution of the State, has been rendering financial assistance to the local
entrepreneurs. District Industries Centres have been working in the field for the
promotion and development of small-scale, village, tiny and cottage industries. A
number of industrial projects have been set up for the manufacture of iron and steel
materials, cement and other industrial products.

==FESTIVALS==

A five-day-long religious festival of the Khasis ‘Ka Pamblang Nongkrem’ popularly
known as ‘Nongkrem dance’ is annually held at Smit village, 11 km from Shillong.
‘Shad Sukmynsiem’, another important festival of the Khasis is held at Shillong
during the second week of April. ‘Behdeinkhlam’, the most important and colourful
festival of the Jaintias is celebrated annually at Jowai in Jaintia Hills in July. ‘Wangala
festival’ is observed for a week to honour Saljong (Sungod) of the Garos during
October – November.

==TOURIST CENTRES==

Meghalaya is dotted with a number of lovely tourist spots where nature unveils
herself in all her glory. Shillong, the capital city, has a number of beautiful spots. A
few of them are Ward’s Lake, Lady Hydari Park, Polo Ground, Mini Zoo, Elephant
Falls, Shillong Peak overlooking the city and the Golf Course which is one of the
best in the country.

==TRANSPORT==

'''Roads: ''' Six national highways pass through Meghalaya for a distance of 606
kilometer.

''' Aviation:''' The only airport in the State at Umroi, is 35 km from Shillong.

==GOVERNMENT==

Governor : Shri Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary

Chief Secretary : Shri W.M.S. Pariat

Chief Minister : Dr. Mukul Sangma

Jurisdiction of : Falls under the jurisdiction of
High Court Guwahati High Court. There is a
High Court Bench at Shillong.

==AREA, POPULATION AND HEADQUARTERS OF DISTRICTS==

District Area (sq km) Population Headquarters
(Provisional Census-2011)

East Khasi Hills 2,748 8,24,059 Shillong

West Khasi Hills 5,247 3,85,601 Nongstoin

Ri-Bhoi 2,448 2,58,380 Nongpoh

Jaintia Hills 3,819 3,92,852 Jowai

East Garo Hills 2,603 3,17,618 Williamnagar

West Garo Hills 3,677 6,42,923 Tura

South Garo Hills 1,187 1,42,574 Baghmara

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:08, 23 December 2018
Line 383:		Line 383:

	=Mines=		=Mines=
		+	==Illegal coal mining/ 2018==
		+	[https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/in-meghalaya-where-it-took-15-deaths-for-the-reality-of-illegal-mining-to-hit-hard/article25808466.ece Rahul Karmakar, In Meghalaya, where it took 15 deaths for the reality of illegal mining to hit hard, December 22, 2018: ''The Hindu'']
		+
		+
		+	An ‘underground economy’ has for long been known to fuel Meghalaya’s politics. It has taken the collapse of a coal mine and – in all probability – the death of at least 15 miners for the reality of illegal mining to hit hard.
		+
		+	The accident on December 13, when the miners struck an aquifer leading to the flooding of a 370-foot mine, was the first after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned unscientific ‘rat-hole mining’ in the State on April 17, 2014.
		+
		+
		+	'''Where is the mine?'''
		+
		+	The mine, about 130 km from the capital Shillong, is at Ksan near the river Lytein in the Saipung area of East Jaintia Hills, one of eight mining districts of the State.
		+
		+	The site is 48 km from where rights and anti-mining activist Agnes Kharshiing was assaulted a month ago for her campaign against illegal mining. East Jaintia Hills has a major share of an estimated coal reserve of 576 million tonnes in the State, which also has substantial deposits of limestone and other minerals. Much of the coal sent out of Meghalaya before the NGT ban was from this district. An assessment by a committee, constituted by the NGT, recorded the highest amount of extracted coal — 3.7 million tonnes of a total 6.5 million tonnes — in the State in September 2014.
		+
		+
		+	'''What prompted the NGT ban?'''
		+
		+	The NGT ban, retained in 2015, followed a petition filed by the All Dimasa Students’ Union in Assam. The union had cited a study by O.P. Singh of the North Eastern Hill University that said mining in the coal belts and coal stockpiles in the Jaintia Hills areas were polluting rivers and streams flowing down to Assam’s Dima Hasao district, killing aquatic life and rendering the water unfit for drinking or irrigation. Apart from the ecological impact, the NGT observed that “there is umpteen number of cases where by virtue of rat-hole mining, during the rainy season, water flooded into the mining areas resulting in the death of many.” The trigger for the ban was the case of 15 miners trapped fatally inside a flooded mine in the South Garo Hills in July 2012. In between, a Shillong-based NGO filed a public interest litigation petition against illegal coal mining, claiming the rat-hole mines employed 70,000 child labourers. The government later said only 222 children were found working in the mines.
		+
		+
		+	'''What is rat-hole mining?'''
		+
		+	Coal mining in Meghalaya, financed by businessmen from outside, took off commercially in the 1980s. Since much of the State’s land is community-owned, it was easy for the moneyed locals to purchase land and employ non-tribal labourers to burrow for maximum profit. Rat-hole mining, involving digging of tunnels 3-4 feet high, was the most preferred to strike at narrow coal seams deeper inside the hills.
		+
		+	The less dangerous of two methods of digging tunnels is side-cutting on the slopes. The other method entails digging a rectangular pit vertically to a depth of up to 400 metres. Rat-hole-sized tunnels are dug horizontally wherever the coal seams are found for the workers to crawl in and out. The NGT found these techniques unscientific and unsafe for workers.
		+
		+
		+	'''Why does it continue?'''
		+
		+	Many who matter in Meghalaya own a coal mine or are associated with the trade. They include politicians, bureaucrats, police officers and extremists. In 2015, the State government said the ban would cost it ₹600 crore in revenue. The high stakes involved had made political parties promise reopen coal mines during the February Assembly election.
		+
		+	Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, earlier in denial mode, has admitted after the accident that illegal mining does happen. He has promised appropriate action but at the same time said mining activities are spread across too vast an area to monitor.
		+
		+	Activists are sceptical; on Thursday, an affidavit in the Meghalaya High Court pointed out that the prime accused in the mob attack on Ms. Kharshiing and her associate Amita Sangma was a leader of the ruling National People’s Party and there was no hope of a “meaningful investigation” because of a nexus among the coal mafia, the police and politicians.

	=Wildlife parks and sanctuaries: India=		=Wildlife parks and sanctuaries: India=

@@ Line 381: / Line 381: @@
 per cent and 0.1 per cent respectively.
 =Wildlife parks and sanctuaries: India=
@@ Line 393: / Line 395: @@
 There has been an increased interest in the many caves located in Meghalaya. There are said to as many as 200 caves which are yet to be mapped or explored. The surveyed caves include five which are the largest in the Indian subcontinent. Major caves are located in the Khasi hills, Jantia hills, South Garo hills.

@@ Line 134: / Line 134: @@
 South Garo Hills 1,187 1,42,574 Baghmara
 =Garo hills=
 ==2015: HC directs AFSPA imposition==

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 [[Category: Places |M]]
 [[Category: Fauna |M]]
-[[Category:Name|Alphabet]]
+[[Category: Bangladesh|M]]
-==The source of this article==
+=The source of this section=
 ''' INDIA 2012 '''
@@ Line 134: / Line 134: @@
 South Garo Hills 1,187 1,42,574 Baghmara
-=Wildlife parks and sanctuaries: India=
+Manosh Das
-LIVING ADVENTUROUSLY
+'''Meghalaya HC asks Centre to impose AFSPA in Garo Hills'''
-Picturesque Shillong in Meghalaya with its beautiful landscapes is an ideal ground for aero sports, particularly gliding (hang/para gliding).
+The Meghalaya high court's directive on Monday asking the Centre to consider imposing the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, in insurgency-ravaged Garo Hills has hit the state where it hurts most. The move comes amidst prolonged movements for the repeal of the act from the northeast which have rocked the region's states, especially Manipur, over the years.
-''' TREKS '''
+The high court cited rising cases of kidnappings and killings by militant groups in the Garo Hills in its order.
-There has been an increased interest in the many caves located in Meghalaya. There are said to as many as 200 caves which are yet to be mapped or explored. The surveyed caves include five which are the largest in the Indian subcontinent. Major caves are located in the Khasi hills, Jantia hills, South Garo hills.
+“Recently , a central intelligence officer and a trader who had been kidnapped for ransom were killed by insurgents. According to data supplied by Meghalaya Police, Garo insurgents abducted 25 civilians, 27 businessmen, 25 private sector employees, five government employees and five teachers between January and October 31 this year,“ a police officer said.
-=Meghalaya : The Scheduled Tribes Census of India 2001=
+“This court... cannot remain a mute spectator and shy away from its constitutional obligation to protect the fundamental rights guaranteed by Part III of the Constitution in general and Article 21 in particular,“ the full bench of the Meghalaya HC observed in its ruling. The HC directed the Union home secretary and defence secretary to ensure compliance by placing the order before the Centre.
 [http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/dh_st_meghalaya.pdf Census India.gov.in]
@@ Line 338: / Line 341: @@
 under “Religion not stated”. Besides,
 ,105 persons have been recorded as Muslims and 2,249 as
-Budhists constituting 0.7
+Buddhists constituting 0.7
 per cent and 0.1 per cent respectively.
-Manosh Das
+=Wildlife parks and sanctuaries: India=
-'''Meghalaya HC asks Centre to impose AFSPA in Garo Hills'''
+LIVING ADVENTUROUSLY
-The Meghalaya high court's directive on Monday asking the Centre to consider imposing the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, in insurgency-ravaged Garo Hills has hit the state where it hurts most. The move comes amidst prolonged movements for the repeal of the act from the northeast which have rocked the region's states, especially Manipur, over the years.
+Picturesque Shillong in Meghalaya with its beautiful landscapes is an ideal ground for aero sports, particularly gliding (hang/para gliding).
-The high court cited rising cases of kidnappings and killings by militant groups in the Garo Hills in its order.
-“Recently , a central intelligence officer and a trader who had been kidnapped for ransom were killed by insurgents. According to data supplied by Meghalaya Police, Garo insurgents abducted 25 civilians, 27 businessmen, 25 private sector employees, five government employees and five teachers between January and October 31 this year,“ a police officer said.
+''' TREKS '''
-“This court... cannot remain a mute spectator and shy away from its constitutional obligation to protect the fundamental rights guaranteed by Part III of the Constitution in general and Article 21 in particular,“ the full bench of the Meghalaya HC observed in its ruling. The HC directed the Union home secretary and defence secretary to ensure compliance by placing the order before the Centre.
+There has been an increased interest in the many caves located in Meghalaya. There are said to as many as 200 caves which are yet to be mapped or explored. The surveyed caves include five which are the largest in the Indian subcontinent. Major caves are located in the Khasi hills, Jantia hills, South Garo hills.

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:12, 8 November 2015
Line 340:		Line 340:
	Budhists constituting 0.7		Budhists constituting 0.7
	per cent and 0.1 per cent respectively.		per cent and 0.1 per cent respectively.
		+
		+	=Garo hills=
		+	==2015: HC directs AFSPA imposition==
		+	[http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31808&articlexml=Meghalaya-HC-asks-Centre-to-impose-AFSPA-in-05112015010005 ''The Times of India''], Nov 05 2015
		+
		+	Manosh Das
		+
		+	'''Meghalaya HC asks Centre to impose AFSPA in Garo Hills'''
		+
		+
		+	The Meghalaya high court's directive on Monday asking the Centre to consider imposing the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, in insurgency-ravaged Garo Hills has hit the state where it hurts most. The move comes amidst prolonged movements for the repeal of the act from the northeast which have rocked the region's states, especially Manipur, over the years.
		+	The high court cited rising cases of kidnappings and killings by militant groups in the Garo Hills in its order.
		+
		+	“Recently , a central intelligence officer and a trader who had been kidnapped for ransom were killed by insurgents. According to data supplied by Meghalaya Police, Garo insurgents abducted 25 civilians, 27 businessmen, 25 private sector employees, five government employees and five teachers between January and October 31 this year,“ a police officer said.
		+
		+	“This court... cannot remain a mute spectator and shy away from its constitutional obligation to protect the fundamental rights guaranteed by Part III of the Constitution in general and Article 21 in particular,“ the full bench of the Meghalaya HC observed in its ruling. The HC directed the Union home secretary and defence secretary to ensure compliance by placing the order before the Centre.

@@ Line 88: / Line 88: @@
 festival’ is observed for a week to honour Saljong (Sungod) of the Garos during
 October – November.
 ==TOURIST CENTRES==

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 |-
 |colspan="0"|<div style="font-size:100%">
-This article has been sourced from an authoritative, official <br/>publication.  Therefore, it has been ‘locked’ and will never be <br/> thrown open to readers to   edit or comment on.<br/>
+This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content.<br/>You can help by converting these articles into an encyclopaedia-style entry,<br />deleting portions of the kind normally not used in encyclopaedia entries.<br/>Please also fill in missing details; put categories, headings and sub-headings;<br/>and combine this with other articles on exactly the same subject.<br/>
-After the formal launch of their online archival encyclopædia, <br/> readers who wish to update or add further details can do so on <br/> a ‘Part II’ of this article.  </div>
+See [[examples]] and a tutorial.</div>
 |}
 [[Category:India|M]]
-[[Category:Places|M]]
+[[Category: India |M]]
-[[Category:Name|Alphabet]]
+[[Category: Places |M]]
 [[Category:Name|Alphabet]]
 ==The source of this article==
 ''' INDIA 2012 '''
@@ Line 130: / Line 134: @@
 South Garo Hills 1,187 1,42,574 Baghmara