Khasi Hills, Location, Climate, Biodiversity and Culture

The Khasi Hills are a beautiful hilly region located in the state of Meghalaya in Northeast India. They are known for their lush green landscapes, pleasant climate, and heavy rainfall, these hills are an important part of the region’s natural beauty. The area is rich in forests, rivers, and unique biodiversity, making it both ecologically and culturally significant. The Khasi Hills are also home to indigenous communities with distinct traditions and ways of life, giving the region a unique identity.

About Khasi Hills

• Location & Overview: The Khasi Hills are a low mountain range located on the Shillong Plateau in the state of Meghalaya. They are part of the larger Garo-Khasi-Jaintia Hills, which extend towards the Purvanchal Hills and the Patkai Hills.
• Geographical Features: The Khasi Hills have a predominantly hilly terrain with lush green vegetation and are drained by tributaries of the Brahmaputra River and Surma River. They form part of the Meghalaya subtropical forests and are rich in biodiversity. The highest point is Shillong Peak.
• Climate and Rainfall: The region receives very high rainfall, with Cherrapunji and Mawsynram among the wettest places in the world. The Cherrapunji scarp experiences intense monsoon rainfall, and the area is often called the “Scotland of the East.”
• Natural & Unique Features: Famous for living root bridges made by guiding tree roots over time. Rich biodiversity with dense forests and unique plant and animal species.
• People and Culture: The Khasi Hills are mainly inhabited by the Khasi tribe, which follows a matrilineal system where property and lineage pass through women. A large section of the population practices Christianity alongside traditional customs.
• Economy and Agriculture: Agriculture is the main occupation, with rice as the primary crop grown in valleys and terraces. Shifting cultivation (jhum farming) is also practiced, though it is being gradually discouraged.

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