Meghalaya means ''Abode of clouds" (Abode - alaya, Megha - clouds)
During British rule major part of the Meghalaya region was administered under East Bengal and Assam administrative divisions. After independence rulers of this region ceded the territory to India and included in the state of Assam
After the peaceful agitation for more than ten years & finally in the year 1972 Meghalaya attained full-fledged statehood
Key facts
Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya
It is one of the richest biodiversity areas in the world
Mawsynram in Meghalaya is highest in receiving rainfall in India
Mawlynnong village in Meghalaya is the cleanest village in Asia
It is one of the north-eastern states to have English as official language
Nearly 76% area of Meghalaya falls under forest cover
More than 80% of population of this state depend on agricultural occupation
People of Meghalaya follows matrilineal culture
Unique practice of Living root bridges is found predominantly in Khasi hills which indicates their self-sufficiency & relationship with nature
Loho is the famous dance form of Meghalaya
Major Concerns
Deforestation
Bio-diversity loss
Contamination and silting of water bodies
Landlocked nature of state restricted the mobility of people & reduced the market for the goods produced
Poor supply chain and elevation of state act as hurdle for transportation of goods for farmers
Measures can be taken
Supporting institutions that promote biodiversity protection and restoration, local specific project initiatives to tackle biodiversity loss, government support measures with legislation & legal mechanism, encouraging research and seed banks, promoting purchase of sustainable products and bringing change in our lifestyle will help to protect biodiversity
Individual efforts and educative campaigns, Usage of organic fertilizer and pesticides, Promoting eco-friendly industrial models, Encouraging phosphate-free products helps to reduce algal bloom issues and solve contamination of water bodies in long run
Government policy measures to provide subsidies for transportation of farm produce in hill areas help farmers to transport more goods outside the state and increase the market size for their produce
Working on capacity building of railways, utilization of eco-friendly options like rope-ways and steel-rope bridges helps the farmers to overcome transportation hurdles caused by elevation
The empires of the future are the empires of the mind - Winston Churchill
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