Garo Hills

The Garo Hills in northeastern India are a stunning natural area with lush forests and high rainfall, part of the Shillong Plateau reaching up to 4,600 feet. The region has an agricultural economy, with rice, cotton, sal (genus Shorea), bamboo, and lac as the principal products.

This area is not just about its natural wealth; it’s a blend of vibrant culture, traditional livelihoods, and conservation efforts, attracting tourists and highlighting environmental concerns. Let us discuss more!

Garo Hills – Overview

Location	The Garo Hills are in Meghalaya, India, including the West, East, and South Garo Hills districts. Population: About 8.6 lakh people, mostly from the Garo tribe, live here.
Population	About 8.6 lakh people, mostly from the Garo tribe, live here.
Culture	The Garos have a rich culture with a matrilineal system of inheritance.
Occupation	Farming, especially shifting cultivation, is the main job for many here.
Biodiversity	Home to Nokrek and Balphakram national parks, the area is rich in unique wildlife.
Geography	Meghalaya’s Garo Hills are lush due to heavy rainfall, bordered by Assam and Bangladesh.
Conservation	These hills blend traditions, languages, and natural beauty, defining Meghalaya’s identity.

History of Garo Hills

The Garo Hills are located in the northeastern state of Meghalaya, India, and form part of the greater Patkai mountain range. The region is named after the Garo tribe, an indigenous people who have inhabited the area for centuries. The Garo Hills have a rich history shaped by its geography, culture, and the interactions between various groups over time. Here’s a brief overview:

Pre-Colonial Era

• Indigenous Inhabitants: The Garos are part of the Tibeto-Burman language group and have historically been semi-nomadic, practicing shifting cultivation (jhum) in the hills. Their society is matrilineal, with lineage and inheritance traced through the mother’s line.
• Cultural and Social Structure: The Garos have a rich tradition of oral history, folklore, music, and dance. Their social structure is organized around clans and lineages, with local governance traditionally managed by village chiefs known as Nokmas.

Colonial Period

• British Annexation: The Garo Hills came under British control in the mid-19th century, after the British East India Company extended its influence over northeastern India. The region was formally annexed following a series of conflicts and treaties.
• Administrative Changes: Under British rule, the Garo Hills were administered as part of the larger Assam province. The British introduced new administrative systems, land management practices, and the cultivation of cash crops.

Post-Independence

• Integration into India: After India gained independence in 1947, the Garo Hills became part of the newly formed state of Assam.
• Formation of Meghalaya: In 1972, the Garo Hills, along with the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, became part of the new state of Meghalaya, meaning “the abode of clouds” in Sanskrit. This was the result of years of political activism and negotiation aimed at meeting the aspirations of the region’s indigenous peoples.
• Recent Developments: The Garo Hills have faced challenges related to environmental degradation, deforestation, and conflicts over land and resources. Efforts have been made to promote sustainable development, protect indigenous rights, and preserve the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Cultural and Natural Significance

• The Garo Hills are known for their rich biodiversity, including several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries like the Balpakram and Nokrek, the latter being a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The region’s unique flora and fauna make it an important area for conservation and ecological research.

Garo Hills- Topography

• Hill Ranges: Garo Hills feature ranges like Tura, Arbella, and Ranggira.
• Tura Range: Stretches 50km with peaks like Nokrek (1412m high).
• Diverse Landscape: Includes valleys, cliffs, gorges, and waterfalls like Nokrek Falls and Imilchang Dare.
• Rivers: Home to Simsang, Ganol, Ringgi, and Jinjiram rivers, flowing from the Tura range.
• Topography: Characterized by rolling hills, steep slopes, and narrow valleys with Nokrek Peak being the highest.
• Impact: The topography influences the climate, biodiversity, and human activities.

Geography and Climate in Garo Hills

The Garo Hills area has lots of different land shapes like hills, valleys, and flat lands, making the weather change a lot from one place to another. It’s cooler up high and warmer down low. This place gets a lot of rain, thanks to the big monsoon rains and other local weather patterns. It’s part of a bigger area called the Meghalaya plateau, right next to Bangladesh in the south and the big Brahmaputra River in the north. The land goes from almost flat near Bangladesh to really high up in the north, with lots of rivers cutting through, making valleys and deep cuts in the land.

Biodiversity Hotspot

• Biodiversity Heaven: The Garo Hills are rich in unique wildlife, perfect for nature lovers.
• Endangered Species: Home to rare animals like the Red Panda and Hoolock Gibbon.
• Nokrek National Park: A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve highlighting the area’s ecological value.
• Biodiversity Hotspot: Known for its unique species and diverse ecosystems.
• Rich Ecosystems: Part of the Meghalaya subtropical forests with a wide variety of plants and animals.

Climate and Rainfall – Garo Hills

• Rainfall: Garo Hills gets about 2500 mm of rain yearly, with the heaviest from May to October.
• Summer: Hot, with temperatures up to 34°C in Tura during summer.
• Monsoon: Starts in May, peaks in June and July, bringing lots of rain until October.
• Winter: Cool and dry, with temperatures dropping to around 10°C.
• Climate Variation: Changes with altitude; warm in valleys, cooler in higher places.
• Impact: The climate of the Garo hills affects the ecosystems of the respective region and farming methods.
• Overall Climate: If we talk about the climate then it is predominantly subtropical, with warm summers, cool winters, and heavy monsoon rains, supporting lush greenery and diverse ecosystems.

Flora and Fauna in Garo Hills

• Location: Garo Hills is geographically located in Northeast India are rich in wildlife and diverse plants.
• Forests: The area has tropical evergreen, deciduous forests, and bamboo groves.
• Wildlife: Home to elephants, tigers, leopards, deer, langurs, and various birds.
• Conservation: Protecting these forests is vital for the region’s ecological health.
• Biodiversity: The forests shelter rare species like the hoolock gibbon, Asian elephants, and red pandas.

Key Flora and Fauna in Garo Hills

Species	Status	Notable Features
Red Panda	Endangered	Arboreal mammal with distinctive fur
Hoolock Gibbon	Endangered	Only ape species found in India
Western Hoolock Gibbon	Vulnerable	Recognized by its white eyebrows
Nokrek National Park	UNESCO Biosphere Reserve	Protects the unique biodiversity

Forests and Vegetation

• Timber Trees: Find sal, teak, gamhar, khokon, and champa in Garo Hills forests.
• Forest Types: Includes tropical wet evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist and dry deciduous, and bamboo forests.
• High Altitude Forests: Sub-tropical pine forests cover higher areas.
• Vegetation Variety: Features bamboo, canes, orchids, and medicinal plants.
• Endemic Plants: Unique plants like pygmy lily, sundew, and wild citrus are found here.
• Forest Composition: Dense tropical and subtropical forests with bamboo and grassland patches.
• Unique Flora: Home to a variety of medicinal plants, orchids, and unique vegetation important for the ecosystem and locals.

Garo Hills- Wildlife

• Varied Habitats: Garo Hills’ forests provide homes for many animals like elephants, leopards, and gibbons.
• Mammals Galore: You can find unique mammals here, including clouded leopards, binturongs, and gaurs.
• Bird Watchers’ Paradise: Home to hornbills, peacock pheasants, and rare birds.
• Aquatic Life: Rivers and streams teem with diverse fish and aquatic animals.
• Reptile Residents: Look out for pythons and various snakes.
• Wildlife Haven: A vital area for different wildlife species to thrive and migrate.

Protected Areas in Garo Hills

• Protected Areas: The Garo Hills feature important conservation sites like Nokrek National Park, Balphakram National Park, Siju Wildlife Sanctuary, and Nokrek Peak.
• Nokrek National Park: A biosphere reserve with rare orchids, sacred groves, and endangered species like the Asian elephant, red panda, and clouded leopard. It’s a hub for research and ecological studies.
• Balphakram National Park: Known for unique landscapes, rich flora, and fauna including Indian bison, sambar deer, and various birds.
• Siju Wildlife Sanctuary: Houses rare animals like the golden cat and Asiatic black bear, and famous for its limestone caves.
• Nokrek Peak: Offers stunning views and is vital for the region’s water supply.
• Conservation Effort: These areas are key to preserving the Garo Hills’ biodiversity, providing safe habitats for many species and supporting ecological balance.

Language, Arts, and Festivals

• Language: The Garo language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family, enriched with folk songs, myths, and poetry, crucial for the Garo people’s cultural identity in the Garo Hills.
• Art and Craft: Garo women are known for their weaving and bamboo crafts, providing economic support and a way to express creativity.
• Festivals: The Garo celebrate various cultural festivals, with Wangala, the harvest festival, being a time to thank nature and pray for future agricultural success.
• 100 Drums Festival: This event highlights traditional music and dance, reinforcing community bonds and cultural preservation.
• Cultural Expression: Garo arts, crafts, and festivals like Wangala showcase their nature-centric culture and deep-rooted traditions.

Economy and Livelihoods in Garo Hills

• Main Jobs: Most people in Garo Hills work in farming and growing crops like rice, maize, and spices.
• Farming Importance: Growing crops and plants is a big part of Garo Hills’ money-making activities.
• Animals for Money: Many families make money by raising animals like cows, goats, pigs, and chickens.
• Small Factories: There are small businesses in Garo Hills making things like clothes, crafts, furniture, and food.
• Economy’s Backbone: Farming and raising animals are the biggest jobs here. Tourism and making crafts also help make money.

Tourism in Garo Hills

• Garo Hills Tourism: Offers a mix of nature and culture with Tura Peak, Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, Siju Caves, Imilchang waterfalls, and the Wangala festival.
• Eco-friendly: Focuses on sustainable tourism to protect its unique ecosystems.
• Tura Peak: Known for stunning views of the area.
• Nokrek Biosphere Reserve: Home to diverse wildlife and plants.
• Siju Caves: Famous for beautiful limestone formations and underground rivers.
• Wangala Festival: Celebrates Garo music, dance, and traditions.
• Growing Tourism: Increasing popularity for its natural beauty and cultural richness.

Conclusion

The Garo Hills are a unique region full of varied flora and animals, but they are in jeopardy. Trees are being chopped down, animals are losing their homes, and the weather is causing problems in the region. The changing climate makes things even harder for the animals and plants that live there. To keep the Garo Hills safe and healthy, everyone needs to work together. Local people, the government, and groups that care about nature need to join hands. People are migrating into the forests, illegally shooting wildlife, and depleting resources too rapidly, putting this lovely region in danger.

It’s critical to raise public awareness of the significance of this field, put an end to illicit activity, and assist people in finding sustainable employment. In addition to being home to incredible creatures, the Garo Hills possess a distinctive culture and history. This place must be protected not only for the creatures and plants that dwell there, but for all of us.

Related Links

1. What is the Capital of Meghalaya?
2. 7 Major Mountain Ranges in India
3. Plateaus in India – Meaning, Types & Importance

Garo Hills- FAQs

What is Garo Hills famous for?

Garo hills is known for its abundance of wild life and the two mountain ranges – The Arebella range and the Tura range.

Where are Garo hills located?

Garo Hills, physiographic region, western Meghalaya state, northeastern India.

How many districts are there in Garo hills?

As of my last update, there are five districts in the Garo Hills region of Meghalaya, India. These are:

1. West Garo Hills
2. East Garo Hills
3. South Garo Hills
4. North Garo Hills
5. South West Garo Hills

Garo Hills are located in which direction?

The Garo Hills are located in the western part of the state of Meghalaya, India.

What are the names of Garo Hills?

The East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills, North Garo Hills, South Garo Hills and the South West Garo Hills.

Which is the longest river in Garo Hills?

The River Simsang is the longest river in Garo Hills.

What is the famous food of Garo Hills?

Doo Kapa is the famous food of Garo Hills.