Meghalaya Meghalaya – Meghalaya PCS Free Notes

Minerals in Meghalaya

Meghalaya is endowed with sizeable deposits of a number of valuable minerals. Coal, limestone, uranium, granite, kaolin, clay and glass sand are the principal minerals. A brief account of mineral resources is as follows:

Limestone

An extensive bed of limestone occurs in the Southern part of the State from Jaintia Hills in the East and Garo Hills in the West. The main deposits are found around Cherrapunjee, Mawlong, Ichamati, Shella, Komorrah in the East Khasi Hills district; Borsora and Bagli in the West Khasi Hills district; Lakadong, Lumshnong and Nongkhlieh in the Jaintia Hills district; and Darrang Era-aning, Siju, Chokpot in the South Garo Hills district.

Coal

Most of the coal reserves in Meghalaya are tertiary reserves.Coal occurs in Mikir Hills, Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills districts. The production of upgraded coal was reported by private non-captive mines in the unorganised sector located in these areas except Mikir Hills district. The mines are operated mostly by the local tribals in their private lands.

Uranium reserves in Meghalaya

Meghalaya is the third uranium rich state in the country after Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh. The state accounts for 16 per cent of Indias uranium reserves, with deposits estimated to be around 9,500 tones and 4,000 tones respectively at Domiasiat and Wakhyn, both in West Khasi hills region. Minerals in Meghalaya

Kyelleng-Pyndengsohiong, Mawthabah (KPM) uranium mining project is located in the West Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya state in the North East region of India. Formerly this project was also known as Domiasiat uranium mining project. The Atomic Mineral Directorate for Exploration and Research in 1972 found evidences of uranium deposits in the area which was confirmed by 1996 after intensive drilling between 1992 and 1996. Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) proposes to mine it using open pit mining method up to a depth of 45 m. The processing plant will be constructed at Mawthabah. It is estimated that KPM deposit in Meghalaya will last for 25 years.

Clay

Clay of various types such as Kaolin (China clay), white clay, and fire clay are found in various parts of the states. These clay are suitable for the ceramic, paper, rubber and refractory industries. It has been estimated that there are a few hundred million tonnes of clay reserved in the state.

Granite reserves

Deposits of multi-coloured granite have been located around nongpoh in the Ri-Bhoi district, mylliem in the east khasi hills district; mawkyrwat and nongstoin in the west khasi hills distric.

Sand deposits

The sand deposits of the State are mainly concentrated in Khasi hills. The glass deposits of Laitryn grew coal field and around Shillong are found to be suitable for manufacturing of ordinary bottle glasrs, window glass etc. and with some chemical pu rification even for sheet glass and flint glass. Some of the sands are within the specifica tion o f foundry sands, which are now in great demand in the country. The estimated reserve of glass deposits is about 2.30 m illion tonnes as against Tripura – 0.18 m illion tones.

Feldspar and quartz occur near Tura in Garo hills and near Hahim in Khasi Hills. The estimated mining reserve of feldspar in the State (0.02 million tonnes) is at par with Assam (0.02 million tonne),2 3456 while the quartz is 2.03 m illion tonnes as compared to Tripura – 0.19 million tonnes.

Massive sillimanite associated with corrundum occurs in Khasi hills . More than 2i deposits have been located in the vicinity of Sonapahar, Nongpur and Nongbain villages and are worked by the Assam Sillimanite Ltd. Most of the deposits contain sillimanite with admixed corrundum to a little extent, one or two entirely of corrundum and several of sillimanite only.

Wild life and ecotourism of Meghalaya

Meghalaya is considered by many biologists to have been the gateway through which many species of Indo-Chinese origin, particularly mammals migrated to Peninsular India. It is said that about 50% of the total number of mammal genera found in the entire Indian sub-continent can be seen in Meghalaya and its adjoining states in the Northeast. Out of the above, nine genera of mammals, such as Tupaia, Rhizomys, Cannomys, Chiropodomys, Micromys, etc occur only in Meghalaya and its adjacent areas.

In the forests of Meghalaya, specially in lower altitudes, multifarious species of birds can be seen in abundance. Some of the common birds found in Meghalaya include Hoopoe, long tailed Broadbill, Scarlet Minivet, Burmese Roller, Blue Throated Barbet, red veted Bulbul, Himalayan black Bulbul, Himalayan whistling Thrush, Spotted Forktail, black-breasted Kalij Pheasant, red jungle Fowl, Mynas and Turtle Dove. Besides, Hornbills including the Great Indian Hornbill, Florican, Owl, Black Drongo and many other birds are also found.

Reptile population in Meghalaya includes lizards and snakes, poisonous and non-poisonous. Important ones include Indian Cobra, King Cobra, Coral Snake, Vipers, Python, blind Snake, Copperback, red-necked Kulback, and Green tree Racer.

Some species of different families of mammals namely Primates, the Cats, Civets, Mongooses, Dogs, Bear, Weasels, Bats, Rodents, Elephants, Gaur, Wild Buffalo, Serow, Deer, Pigs and Pangolins are seen roaming in the forests of Meghalaya. In Meghalaya we come across apes as well as Monkeys and Lemurs.

Meghalaya wildlife is full of treasure trove of Nature, with its rich variation of dense endemic and cultivated flora. Nature, in its plenteous abundance, had blessed Meghalaya with a unique array of plantation, ranging from tropical and sub-tropical to temperate or near temperate. This is due to the diverse physiology, varied and plentiful of rainfall and distinctive climatic and edaphic conditions of the state, within small regions. Biotic factors have also played an important role, at places decisive.

Ecotourism

The State of Meghalaya is a jewel in the crown of the Seven Sister States of North East India. With beautiful landscapes, hundreds of waterfalls and welcoming people, the capital of this State Shillong, has no wonder derived the name as being the ‘Scotland of the East’. Shillong is a city where you get to see a blend of the Modern and the Cultural World and music being the soul of the Khasi Tribal people of Shillong the city has also added to its kitty the title of being called ‘India’s Rock Capital’.

Some of the important national parks and sanctuaries in meghalaya are as follows:

Nokrek National Park

The Nokrek National Park and Biosphere Reserve is about 45 kms from Tura. Nokrek is the highest peak in Garo Hills and home to different species of wild animals including Elephants and Hoolock Gibbons. The Nokrek National Park has been established at Nokrek and it abounds in various wildlife including herds of wild elephants, rare varieties of birds and pheasants, beside rare orchids. The park is also home to a very rare species of citrus-indica endemic to this place which the locals call memang narang (‘orange of the spirits’). Nokrek is also believed to be the home of Mande Burung (jungle man or ape man) and reported cases of sightings abound in and around the villages of Nokrek.

Selbagre Hoolock Gibbon Reserve

This small area protected by the community is home to the Hoolock Gibbons, the only ape species found in India. The sacred grove in the reserve is the pride of the village and the community. The Garos never kill or hunt the Hoolock Gibbon as it is a traditional belief among them that if a Hoolock Gibbon is killed, a famine or a curse would befall the entire village.

Balpakram National Park

Balpakram is a fertile virgin land. The UN surveyed belts of limestone and coal deposits, along with sea shells fossilized into rocks in Balpakram hill provide immense scope for geological and archeological studies. The animals which can be seen in this national park are elephants, wild buffaloes, gaur, sambar, barking deer, wild boar, slow loris, capped langur, tigers, leopards, clouded leopards and the rare golden cat.

Siju Bird Sanctuary

Siju Bird Sanctuary is located in the hilly regions, it is a perfect destination for people who like watching birds of different species. The sanctuary has been made so that the birds do not feel caged and are not disturbed by any human. The entry of the Siju Bird Sanctuary is beautifully decorated by rock formations. The Siberian ducks also migrate here during the winter months. The lesser or Grey Hornbill is also seen around Siju. One interesting and rare bird is the Peacock Pheasant seen in Siju.

Nongkhyllem Sanctuary

Nongkhyllem Sanctuary of Meghalaya is spread over an area of 29 sq. km. and thereby houses a large number of animals including reptiles, mammals, avian, rodents, etc. The sanctuary still retains the natural look of the forest. Nongkhyllem Sanctuary of Meghalaya is situated in the Ri-Bhoi district near Lailad village. The sanctuary is accessible through road. You can take up the Guwahati Shillong National Highway number 40 and get down at Umling and then along Umling Patharkhmah road take another bus or cab to Lailad village. This sanctuary is one of its kinds as it hosts a wide range of flora and fauna. The sanctuary supports various species of fauna including those facing the danger of extinction. They include Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Bison, Himalayan Black Bear, Clouded Leopard, etc.