West Garo Hills  district General information

West Garo Hills district is located in the westernmost part of the State of Meghalaya. The district is nature's wonderland, blessed with beautiful hills, crystal clear rivers, streams & water falls, green virgin forest and a wide variety of flora & fauna. The district headquarters of West Garo Hills is Tura, which is the second largest town in the State after Shillong.

History

The early history of the Garos is shrouded in mystery. The forefathers of the Garos allied to Koches, Chutiyas, Kacharis and Meches came from the north-west. Another tradition ascribing some support to this theory, maintains that the Garos are descended from their forefathers in Asong Tibetgori. The Garos in the Kamrup plain, recount a tradition that their forefathers came eastward from the Himalayas and reached Gondulghat where they made a brief halt, and on leaving that place, traversed to Sadiya, from where they trekked on into the north bank of Brahmaputra. After a long westward trail, they reached Amingaon. There in the north bank their life was not secure, they crossed the Bahmaputra river and came to occupy Kamakhya. They occupied it for some generations until the Koches came to invade the Garo Kingdom. From Gauhati, wave after wave of westward migration poured to the Garo outer hills, and later on penetrated the interior hills of their present abode. Probably who those crossed the hills and advanced further south to Mymensing in Bangladesh were the earliest immigrants whereas those who came later on, now confined into their present settlement at Goalpara and Kamrup, belonged to the later immigrants.

If critically examined, the ancient history of Garos would seem to have been a period marked by persistent and tenacious internal warfare and many blood-feuds seem to seem to have occurred between families or villages and between neighbouring Chiefs or Nokmas.

Culture

A'Chik is the general title used for the various groups of people after the division of the race. The title is used to denote different groups such as the Ambeng, Atong, Akawe (or Awe), Matchi, Chibok, Chisak Megam or Lyngngam, Ruga, Gara-Ganching  who inhabit the greater portion of the present Garo Hills District. But the name applies also to the groups of Garos scattered at the neighbouring places in Assam, Tripura, Nagaland and Mymensing in Bangladesh.

Though the main feature of their traditional political setup, social institutions, marriage systems, inheritance of properties, religion and beliefs are common, it is observed that as these units were isolated from one another, they have developed their own separate patterns. They also speak different dialects. Also their traditional songs, dances, music differ from each other. The song, dances and music are mostly associated with traditional religious functions and ceremonies.

Industry

The Garos have a tradition of self-sufficiency in many of the articles of everyday use, which have in time become part of their material culture. Among these may be mentioned their textile, their pottery, their basketry and the products of a large number of other crafts.

Their environment has been a generous provided. The forests provide an almost limitless quantity of timber, bamboo and cane, which are so necessary for their dwellings or for household articles. Their fields yield cotton for their yarn.

Agriculture

Agricultural Scenario: Majority of the people depends on agriculture for their livelihood. The main crop being paddy, the other crops cultivated in the district are mustard, sugarcane, jute, potato, tapioca, cotton etc. The sizeable crops with commercial potential are chilies, ginger, pineapple, turmeric and also banana in the areas adjoining Assam. Tezpata leaf (Bay leaf) and leaf for Bidi making could have bright commercial prospects.

Wet rice cultivation is practiced in the plains areas while in the hills, the population practice jhum or shifting cultivation. With the passing of time, and the increasing pressure of population, the jhum cycle has been considerably reduced, averaging three years instead of the norm of seven. The practice has led to extensive denudation of forests and progressive destruction of the ecology. Government has taken several steps to wean the people away from this primitive practices, either by taking up schemes of resettling the people of selected villages in new settlement, providing them with amenities like good roads and running water, or by encouraging them to adopt terrace cultivation.

Most of the existing cultivation are found around villages. Normally, allocation of plots is based on precedents and a family cultivates the same plot for about two years. After cleaning of the jungle and burning of the litter some time between March and April, cereals like maize and millets are sown. Besides food crops, cash crops like cotton are grown in many parts of Garo Hills.

Education

The progress of education in earlier times was very slow, as the administration was mainly concerned with the maintenance of law and order. The main agency for propagation of education was therefore the American Baptist Mission, which however, concentrated its activities only in a few areas where it had established its Mission Stations. Until 1911, when only 23 people per thousand were returned as literate, progress was very slow.

Between 1911 and 1951, education in this district made slight though still insufficient progress. According to the 1951 Census, the percentage of literacy in this district was only 7.3% compared to the All-India average of 16%. An upward trend was apparent after independence, the most remarkable progress achieved being in the field of Primary Education. As a result, literacy spread at a faster rate than in the plains, during the 1951-1961 decade.

Health

The district has 7 Hospitals, 14 Primary Health Centres (5 underway), 4 State Dispensaries, 5 Community Health Centres and 82 Health Sub Centres.

Flora and Fauna

The whole of Garo Hills region forms a sort of undulating plateau with plenty of flat lands and valleys with altitudes varying from 100-1400 m above sea level, Nokrek being the highest point, i.e., 1418m. The districts has a rich and unique flora and it is supposed to be the original home of the Citrus.

Mineral Resource

Most of the economic mineral resources of Garo Hills are associated with the Eocene Tertiary, Sedimentary formation. These minerals are Coal, Limestone, Lithomargic clay, Fireclay, Phosphorite, Gypsum and Glass sand.

Coal: The total estimated reserves of coal in Garo Hills Districts is of the order of 359.00 million tones spread over three coalfields viz., West Daranggre, Siju and Pendengru-Balpakram coalfields. Of these, only the West Daranggre coalfield has been opened and worked to a small extent. A block of this coalfield of about 244 hectares was operated by the MIDC Ltd. Annual production from the Nongalbibra colliery of MIDC Ltd. was of the order of 10,000 tonnes. Plans are afoot for exploiting this coalfield for thermal power generation and for use in the proposed cement plant.

Limestone: The total estimated reserves of limestone in Garo Hills is of the order of 510 million tones. Of this, more than 460 million tones is in a single deposit at Siju Arteka in South Garo Hills. So far, the limestone deposits of Garo Hills have not been worked for commercial purpose except a small quantity in the Siju area along the Nongalbibra-Baghmara road, which has been quarried for road metals.

Lithomargic Clay and Fireclay: These clays are associated with the coal deposits of the West Daranggre coalfields. The estimated reserve of the lithomargic clay and fireclay is of the order of 80 million tones, out of which fireclay reserve is 70 million tones. Tests conducted on these clays show that they can be utilized for production of high-class refractory bricks and insulators.

Phosphorite, Gypsum and Glass-sand deposits found so far are not of economic importance.

There are also other minerals, which are associated with the Aechaean-gneissic complex of the Shillong group of rocks. These are Kaolin or China clay, Quartzite, Feldspar, Banded haematite-quartzite, Sillimanite, Granites and Dolerites. A deposit of good quantity Kaolin or Chaina Clay of economic importance has been located in the Darugre area in the district. A block of this deposit, which has been investigated, has an estimated reserve of 1.20 million tones of good clay. The adjoining areas which are yet to be explored also contain sizeable quantity of this clay. A clay washery is proposed to be set up at Darugre in the area to utilize this deposit for use in various industries.

Tourist Place

Tura Peak

A majestic hill stands on the eastern flank of Tura, the largest town in the Garo Hills region of the State. It peaks eight hundred and seventy two metres above sea level over looking Tura. Local legend has it that the peak provides a sacred abode for the ‘Gods’ and claims that it was traditionally known as Dura but the British mistook it for Tura, before it came to be known as such. Since the Tura hill and its peak constitute the water catchments area of Tura town, the whole Tura-range has been declared as a reserve-forest.

Tura PeakA Tourist Bungalow, an Observatory and a Cinchona plantation are located at Tura Peak and its environs. A magnificent view of the lower Brahmaputra Valley as well as the golden yellow plains of Bangladesh is available all year round to viewers on Tura Peak.

During the British regime, the Deputy Commissioner of Garo Hills, used to reside during summer, in a cottage located at the peak and commute down to Tura each day on elephant-back. A decent foot track developed for the Deputy Commissioner’s use is still in existence. It facilitates tourists and adventurers reaching Tura peak with ease and comfort.

Bhaitbari

Located on the century old Mankachar-Phulbari-Goalpara road, on the western frontier of the State, adjoining Goalpara district of Assam, Bhaitbari is a small village of West Garo Hills district. Standing on the banks of river Jinjiram, the village spreads out across the narrow stretch of plain lands of the State, bordering the central hilly plateau.

A few years ago, Bhaitbari shot into prominence as a result of archaeological finds having been uncovered after protracted excavations at Bhaitbari area. The archaeological finds, which have yet to be adequately unravelled, and carbondated are reported to be of considerable antiquity. The finds are of artefacts, which reveal the existence of planned places of worship with exquisitely designed masonry oil lamps.

Excavations which are continuing are likely to reveal further remains of an earlier habitation, besides unravelling the historical antiquity of the plains-belt of the State of which very little is known from recorded history.

The Bhaitbari excavations are certainly of immense historical and anthropological interest and importance.

Kata Beel

Located near Nogorpara village in West Garo Hills district, the beel is about seventy kilometres off Tura on the Tura-Garobadha-Ampatigiri-Mahendraganj road. Tradition has it that this pond was dug and constructed under the instructions of Lengta Raja of the Garos. The beautiful, soothing waters of Kata Beel covers about one hectare of area. The beel is surrounded by a planned plantation of palms.

Kata Beel is a major fishing ground of Garo Hills and well known to anglers and fishermen. A convenient picnic spot which is frequented by young and old alike, particularly during the hot and sultry local summer months.
Darga of Hazrat Shah Kamal Baba

Located at a stone’s throw off the Indo-Bangla frontier, alongside the Dalu-Mahendraganj-Mankachar border road, stands The Darga Sharif of Hazrat Shah Kamal Baba, popularly known as Pirsthan, which has been venerated since centuries. Continuing tradition coming down from the pre-partition East-Bengal times, an annual prayer-mela is held at the Pristhan which is close to Mahendraganj. Devotees from far and near come to the Pristhan for annual prayer and offering with faith and hope as the place is known to be one where prayers find favourable response.

Nokrek

NokrekThe highest point of the Garo Hills region of the State, Nokrek Peak stands fourteen hundred and twelve metres above sea level. A virgin canopy of thick, tall and lush green forests cover Nokrek and its environs. The mother germo plasm of Citrus-indica have been discovered by science researchers within Nokrek Range. This discovery led to the establishment of the National Citrus Gene Sanctuary-cum-Biosphere Reserve at Nokrek covering an area of forty-seven square kilometres.

All important rivers and streams of the Garo Hills region rise from the Nokrek Range, of which the river Simsang, known as Someshwari when it emerges into Bangladesh at Baghmara, is the most prominent.

Nokrek can be reached from the Tura-Asanang-Daribokgre Road. A comfortable three-and-a-half kilometre trek from Daribokgre village leads a visitor to Nokrek Peak. Abundant wildlife including herds of wild elephants, rare varieties of birds and pheasants, besides rare orchids abound in the sanctuary.

Mir Jumla’s Tomb

Mirjumla's TombMir Jumla, one of the most capable of Mughal Generals, was appointed Governor of Bengal around 1659 by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Shortly thereafter, Mir Jumla invaded Assam at the head of a vast army, as an act of attrition against the local ruler who captured some remote areas of Mughal territory on the Bengal frontier. Mir Jumla had considerable initial success and over ran parts of Assam, but the difficult overland routes and the hostile malaria-infested climate took a heavy toll on the Mughal army. This forced Mir Jumla to retreat during 1663 without having fully accomplished the subjugation of Assam. Alas, before the able General could set foot on Bengal again, he was himself run down with the dreaded malaria, to which he succumbed later the same year, near Mankachar in Garo Hills. He was interred at the same place. His simple tomb located on a small hillock has been maintained over the centuries. The tomb reflects a remarkably long grave and bears testimony to the legendary height of Mir Jumla-a true giant among men.

Arbella Peak

A lofty blue hill with an elevation of nine hundred and ninety nine metres above sea level stands on the north-eastern flank of Tura. The hilly range on which it is located is known as Arbella Range and the peak as Arbella Peak. The drive-up to the peak passes through deeply forested glades, full of shrubs and orchids of unparalleled beauty. Wildfowl and pheasants of exciting plumage and colour abound, besides birds of all sizes and variety making the place an idyllic resort of natural joy. A small rest house built by the British Colonialist, a century ago, on the Arbella peak continues to provide visitors with the shelter from the elements.
Rongbang Dare

Rangbang Falls

If one believes that small is beautiful, then the tiny waterfall near Chinabat village to the right of the Tura-Asanangre-Williamnagar State highway is one to be taken into reckoning. This sprightly fall, though perennial, is at its best during the monsoon months. Clustered on either side by vast evergreen hills of bamboos, which sway rhythmically in the wind, the fall itself appears to be on the sway, leaving the viewer with memories of ecstatic joy.
Sasatgre

Located on the hilly crescent –like saddle, at the foot of the Nokrek peak, in the West Garo Hills district, Sasatgre village is accessible by a jeepable road from Oragitok village which lies on the Tura-Asanangre-Williamnagar State highway. The distinguishing feature of this village is that although all the houses are built in the typical Garo Pattern and design, they are spacious, airy, well-built and firm. The winds of development, change and prosperity have not changed the way of life of the Sasatgre villagers and they continue to be the repository of undiluted Garo custom, culture and convention

Sasatgre Village

Sasatgre has been blessed by nature in so far as orange plantations are concerned and the village is surrounded by healthy, dark green orange bushes, which are highly productive. The village now falls on the periphery of the Nokrek Gene Sanctuary-cum-Biosphere Reserve.
Asanangre

Located at the junction of the Williamnagar-Tura State highway, Asanangre is a fairly large Garo village where the headquarters of the Rongram Community & Rural development block is located. It is also the venue of the annual Hundred drum Wangala Dance festival which has become a popular tourist attraction.