Background
Meghalaya's living root bridges, known locally as Jingkieng jri, were added to UNESCO's World Heritage Tentative List on 17 February 2022 under the title 'Jingkieng jri: Living Root Bridge Cultural Landscapes'. The bridges are grown by indigenous Khasi communities by training the aerial roots of Ficus trees across streams over generations until they can bear weight. The nomination lists 72 villages and village groups across Meghalaya associated with these structures. The site was nominated under UNESCO criteria (i), (iii) and (vi). The bridges are located in one of the wettest regions on Earth and are built to withstand extreme monsoon rainfall.
Date added to Tentative List:
17 February 2022
Villages listed:
72
Why it matters for exams: A recurring UPSC/Kerala PSC topic on India's UNESCO tentative list sites and indigenous engineering heritage.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve lies on the Tura Range, part of the Meghalaya Plateau in the Garo Hills. It was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2009 under the Man and the Biosphere Programme. The reserve covers about 82,000 hectares of entirely terrestrial area. Nokrek peak, the highest point in the Garo Hills, rises to 1,412 metres, while the reserve's average altitude is around 600 metres. About 90 per cent of the reserve is covered by evergreen forest. The reserve holds the Ganol, Dareng and Simsang rivers, of which the Simsang is the longest and largest. It is home to tigers, leopards, elephants and hoolock gibbons, described by UNESCO as among the most endangered apes in India.
UNESCO designation year:
2009
Area:
82,000 hectares
Highest peak:
1,412 metres
Why it matters for exams: Nokrek is a recurring UPSC/Kerala PSC topic among India's UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and Meghalaya's protected areas.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Meghalaya was carved out of Assam, first becoming an autonomous state within Assam on 2 April 1970 and then a full-fledged state on 21 January 1972. Shillong, which had served as the capital of undivided Assam since 1874, became the capital of the new state of Meghalaya. The state covers an area of 22,429 sq km and recorded a population of 29,66,889 at the 2011 Census, with a literacy rate of 74.43 per cent. Meghalaya today comprises 12 districts divided into 55 blocks spread across the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills regions.
Area:
22,429 sq km
Population (2011 Census):
29,66,889
Districts:
12
Literacy rate:
74.43%
Why it matters for exams: Meghalaya's transition from an autonomous state to full statehood is a recurring polity and North-East geography question in Kerala PSC and UPSC exams.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Meghalaya's District Council Affairs Department coordinates between the state government and the three Autonomous District Councils created under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution: the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council and the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council. The department examines bills and regulations passed by the District Councils for their legality and conformity with the Sixth Schedule, and conducts elections to the three Councils on expiry of their terms. The Councils' constitution also draws on the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous District (Constitution of District Council) Rules, 1951, as amended.
Number of Autonomous District Councils:
3
Governing provision:
Sixth Schedule to the Constitution
Nodal department:
District Council Affairs Department
Why it matters for exams: The Sixth Schedule and its Autonomous District Councils in Meghalaya are a staple polity topic for both Kerala PSC and UPSC on North-East India's tribal self-governance.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The living root bridges of Meghalaya, found mainly in the East Khasi Hills around Cherrapunjee and Nongriat, are grown by the indigenous Khasi people by training the aerial roots of Ficus (rubber) trees across streams over generations. The well-known double-decker root bridge near Cherrapunjee began over 180 years ago, when Khasi elders placed rubber tree roots into hollowed Areca nut palm canes until the roots intertwined across the stream; it was later made two-tiered after a rise in the river covered the original single bridge. India's official tentative list submission for World Heritage status, 'Jingkieng jri: Living Root Bridge Cultural Landscapes', records these structures spread across more than 75 villages of Meghalaya and notes that early 19th century published accounts already described this bridge-building tradition near Cherrapunjee.
Community:
Khasi people
Location:
East Khasi Hills, near Cherrapunjee/Nongriat
Tree used:
Ficus (rubber) tree
Double-decker bridge age:
Over 180 years
Villages with living root bridges:
More than 75 villages
Why it matters for exams: Meghalaya's living root bridges are a recurring art-and-culture/environment question linking indigenous engineering with UNESCO's tentative World Heritage list.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Lakadong turmeric, grown in Meghalaya, has been registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) under Class 30, covering agricultural goods. The application, numbered 741, was filed by the Director of Horticulture, Government of Meghalaya, on 15 February 2021. The product's registration status is recorded as 'Registered', with the certificate issued on 30 March 2024 and the registration valid up to 14 February 2031.
GI application number:
741
GI class:
Class 30 (Agriculture)
Applicant:
Director of Horticulture, Government of Meghalaya
Registration valid till:
14 February 2031
Why it matters for exams: Meghalaya's GI-tagged agricultural produce such as Lakadong turmeric are frequently asked in Kerala PSC and UPSC current-affairs sections on geographical indications.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Umiam Lake, also called Barapani, lies about 15 km north of Shillong in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. It is a man-made reservoir created for hydroelectric power generation. In the Khasi language, the name 'Umiam' means 'water of tears', drawn from a local legend of two sisters. Besides power generation, the lake today supports boating, trekking, camping, fishing, kayaking and water-skiing, and is one of Shillong's well-known natural attractions alongside Shillong Peak and Elephant Falls.
Alternative name:
Barapani
Distance from Shillong:
About 15 km
District:
East Khasi Hills
Purpose:
Hydroelectric power generation
Why it matters for exams: Umiam Lake is a frequently asked Meghalaya geography question, testing knowledge of the state's man-made water bodies and their purpose.
Kerala PSCUPSC