Meghalaya: A Guide to India's Scotland of the East

Location: Northeast India, bordered to the south by the Bangladeshi divisions of Mymensingh and Sylhet, to the west by the Bangladeshi division of Rangpur, and to the north and east by India’s State of Assam.
Nickname: “Scotland of the East.”
Ecology: The Meghalaya subtropical forest ecoregion with mountain forests distinct from lowland tropical forests.
Forest Coverage: About 70% of the state is forested.
Geology: Mainly consists of Archean rock formations with rich mineral deposits like coal, limestone, uranium, and sillimanite.
Tribes: The Garos inhabit western Meghalaya, the Khasis in central Meghalaya, and the Jaintias in eastern Meghalaya.
Cherrapunji: Known for the world record of the most rainfall in a calendar month.
Turmeric: Meghalaya’s turmeric, particularly from Shangpung in the Jaintia Hills, is renowned and has a high curcumin content.
Power Generation: One of the few states with surplus power generation and uninterrupted power supply for industrial units.
Neolithic Sites: Discovered in high-elevation areas, including Khasi Hills and Garo Hills.
Meghalaya’s Name: Means “abode of the clouds” due to its mountainous and rainy nature.
Nongkhnum Island: The largest river island in Meghalaya and the second largest in Asia.
Highest Points: Shillong Peak in the Khasi Hills and Nokrek Peak in the Garo Hills.
Botanical Richness: Meghalayan forests are among Asia’s richest botanical habitats.
Sacred Groves: Small pockets of ancient forests preserved for religious and cultural beliefs.
Pitcher Plant: Baghmara Sanctuary is home to the insect-eating pitcher plant Nepenthes khasiana.
Orchids: Meghalaya is famous for its diverse orchids, with a large variety found in the Khasi hills.
Limestone Caves: Home to rare bat species, with Siju Cave being a notable example.
Hoolock Gibbon: Found in all districts of Meghalaya.
Shillong: Known as the “Scotland of the East.”
Rat Hole Mining: A practice recently banned in the state.
Ri-Bhoi Pineapples: Ri-Bhoi district is famous for its pineapples.
North Eastern Council (NEC): Shillong is the headquarters of NEC.
Living Root Bridges: The practice of creating living root bridges can be found in Meghalaya.

Category	Information
State Animal	Clouded Leopard
State Bird	Hill Myna
State Tree	Gamhar
State Flower	Lady Slipper Orchid
Minerals	Coal, Limestone, Granite, Clay (China clay, white clay, fire clay), gypsum, phosphorite, glass-sand, base metals, quartz and feldspar.
Rivers	Ganol, Daring, Sanda, Bandra, Bugai, Dareng, Simsang, Nitai, Bhupai, Khri, Umtrew, Digaru, Umiam, Kynshi (Jadukata), Umngi, Mawpa, Umiam Khwan, Umngot, Umkhen, Myntdu, Myntang.
Waterfalls	Elephant Falls, Shadthum Falls, Weinia Falls, Bishop Falls, Nohkalikai Falls, Langshiang Falls, Sweet Falls.
Tribes	Khasis (largest group), Garos, Jaintias, Hajongs, Biates, Koches, Boros, Dimasa, Kuki, Lakhar, Tiwa (Lalung), Karbi, Rabha, Nepali.
Protected Areas	Balphakram National Park, Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, Siju Sanctuary, Baghmara Sanctuary, Norkek Biosphere Reserve.
Lakes	Ward Lake, Umiam Lake.
Festivals (Garos)	Den Bilsia, Wangala, Rongchu gala, Mi Amua, Mangona, Grengdik BaA, Jamang Sia, Ja Megapa, Sa Sat Ra Chaka, Ajeaor Ahaoea, Dore Rata Dance, Chambil Mesara, Do’KruSua, Saram Cha’A, A Se Mania or Tata.
Festivals (Jaintias)	Behdienkhlam, Laho Dance, Sowing Ritual Ceremony.
Festivals (Khasis)	Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem, Ka Pom-Blang Nongkrem, Ka-Shad Shyngwiang-Thangiap, Ka-Shad-Kynjoh Khaskain, Ka Bam Khana Shnong, Umsan Nongkharai, Shad Beh Sier.
Art Forms	Endi silk for wraps and hawls, khokd thugis baskets, knup bamboo rain shields.
Dance	Nongkrem, Shad Suk, Bahdienkhlam, Lahoo, Dorsegata.
GI Tags	Khasi Cough Mandarin, Memong Narang.