The
north-eastern state of Meghalaya is situated in the Indo-Burma biodiversity
hotspot. Along with protected areas, the presence of large stretches of old
growth and secondary forests which are community owned has helped preserve the
immense faunal and floral bio-diversity of this region. Meghalaya has three
primary hill ranges-Jaintia Hills to the extreme east, Garo hills to the
extreme west and Khasi hills sandwiched in between. The Garo hills have
possibly the best tract of forests remaining in Meghalaya. The
Balpakram-Baghmara Landscape (BBL) falls in the South Garo Hills district of
Meghalaya which has the maximum forest coverage in Meghalaya. The Balpakram
Baghmara Landscape is a complex of Balpakram National Park, Siju wildlife
sanctuary, Baghmara Reserve Forest and community owned land which is 600 km2. The Balpakram
Baghmara Landscape consists of primary and secondary forest, comprising of
tropical moist evergreen forest with a maximum elevation of 900m.
The
Garo Hills are predominantly inhabited by the Garo Tribe or A.chik. Garos
follow the matrilineal society where property right lies with the girl child.
Garo’s consider Balpakram to be a sacred place where human souls take a rest
prior to their heavenly journey.
The winter is between November and March with a
mean high of 25 °C and low of 7 °C. Summer is between end April and October is
humid and hot with maximum temperature of 37 °C. Monsoon hits this region in end April with an
annual average rainfall that varies
between 4,000mm to 11,436mm.
