East Khasi Hills district


East Khasi Hills district is an administrative district in the state of Meghalaya in India. The district headquarters are located at Shillong. The district occupies an area of 2,748 km2 and has a population of 825,922., it is the most populous of Meghalaya's 12 districts.
WWW eastkhasihills.gov.in

History

The former Khasi Hills district was divided into East and West Khasi Hills districts on 28 October 1976. On 4 June 1992, East Khasi Hills District was further divided into two administrative districts of East Khasi Hills District and Ri-Bhoi District.

Geography

Shillong is the district headquarters of East Khasi Hills District.
East Khasi Hills District forms a central part of Meghalaya and covers a total geographical area of 2,748 km2. It lies approximately between 25°07" & 25°41" N Lat. And 91°21" & 92°09" E Long.
The north 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 East Khasi Hills District is mostly hilly with deep gorges and ravines in its 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, 10 km from the city, offers a panoramic view of the scenic countryside and is also the highest point not just in the district but the State as well.

Climate

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.

Divisions

Administrative divisions

East Khasi Hills division is divided into eight blocks:
NameHeadquartersPopulationLocation
Khatarshnong LaitkrohMawjrong
MawkynrewMawkynrew
MawphlangMawphlang
MawryngknengMawryngkneng
MawsynramMawsynram
MylliemMylliem
PynsurslaPynsursla
Shella BholaganjCherrapunjee

Demographics

According to the 2011 census, East Khasi Hills district has a population of 825,922, roughly equal to the nation of Comoros or the US state of South Dakota. This gives it a ranking of 478th in India. The district has a population density of. Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 24.68%. East Khasi Hills has a sex ratio of 1008 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 84.7%. East Khasi Hills is the most diverse district of Meghalaya with having people from all the parts of India.

Culture

Places of interest

Transport

The headquarters of the district, Shillong which is also the capital city of State, is connected to Guwahati and Silchar by NH 44 of 103 km and 240 km respectively. The nearest Rail head and airport are situated at Guwahati. There is an airstrip suitable for small aircraft at Umroi which is 35 km 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.