Social,
Environmental & Economic Sustainability
Our analysis of the rank of the district
Backwardness : Does not figure in list of 447 backward
districts
Sex Ratio Rank : 460
(Rank one is least sex ratio - Cenus 2001)
HIV Category District : C
(HIV Sentinel Surveillance 2004 - 2006)
Disability : 519 (Census 2001)
Literacy Ratio : 104 (Census 2001)
Minority : Does not figure in MCD
Earthquake : Shillong - Earthquake measuring 8.7 in 1897
Brief About East Khasi Hills District
East Khasi Hills is one of the 7 (seven) districts
of the State of Meghalaya. The district occupies an area of 2748
Sq Km. And it lies between 25°07” & 25°41” N Lat. And 91°21” &
92°09” E Long. bounded by Ri-Bhoi District on the north, Karbi
Anglong District on the north east, Jaintia Hills district on
the east, Bangladesh on the south and West Khasi Hills district
on the
Introduction
The Khasi Hills District was divided into two districts, viz
the East Khasi Hills District and the West Khasi Hills District
on 28th October 1976. On June 4th, 1992, East Khasi Hills District
was further divided into two administrative districts of East
Khasi Hills District and Ri-Bhoi District.
Shillong is the district headquarter of East Khasi Hills District.
The district consists of Eight Community and Rural Development
blocks at present.
Area, Location and Population
East Khasi Hills District forms a central part of Meghalaya
and covers a total geographical area of 2,748 Sq. Kms. It lies
approximately between
25°07”
& 25°41”
N Lat. And 91°21”
& 92°09”
E Long.
The northern portion of the district is bounded
by the plain of Ri-Bhoi District gradually rising to the rolling
grasslands of the Shillong plateau interspersed with river valleys,
then falls sharply in the Southern portion forming a deep gorges
and ravines in Mawsynram and Shella-Bholaganj, community and rural
development block, bordering Bangladesh. The district is bounded
by the Jaintia Hills District to the east and the West Khasi Hills
District to the west.
The district has a population of 6,60,923 as
per the 2001census. The Khasis are predominant inhabitants of
the East Khasi Hills, though Garos and others are found in the
southern border areas.
Physical Features, Climate
and Vegetation
The East Khasi Hills District is mostly hilly with deep gorges
and ravines on the southern portion. The most important physiographic
features of the district is the Shillong Plateau interspersed
with river valley, then fall sharply in the southern portion forming
deep gorges and ravine in Mawsynram and Shella-Bholaganj bordering
Bangladesh. Shillong peak lying 10 Kms. from the city, offer a
panoramic view of the scenic country side and is also the highest
point in the district as well as in the State. In the evening
, the city lights below appears like a star studded abyss.
The climate of the district ranges from temperate
in the plateau region to the warmer tropical and sub-tropical
pockets on the Northern and Southern regions. The whole of the
district is influenced by the south-west monsoon which begins
generally from May and continues till September. The weather is
humid for the major portion of the year except for the relatively
dry spell usually between December and March.
Infrastructure
The headquarter of the district, Shillong which is also the capital city of State, is connected
to Guwahati and Silchar by NH 44 of 103 Kms. and 240 Kms. respectively.
The nearest Rail head and airport are situated at Guwahati. There
is a airstrip suitable for small aircrafts at Umroi which is 35
Kms. from Shillong. The agricultural and other products are transported
by trucks, jeeps and tractors. Shillong is well connected with
other parts of the State by motorable road. Similarly, all the
block headquarters in the district are also connected by roads.
However, the villages in the interior areas are poorly connected
and transport services are inadequate.
