Key Facts about Garo Hills

About Garo Hills:

• They form the western part of Meghalaya State and covers an area of approximately 8,000 sq km.
• The range is part of the Meghalaya subtropical forests eco-region. Situated close to the Indo-Bangladesh border, the Garo hills are part of the Patkai hill range, which extends across the Indo-Myanmar border. 
• It is one of the wettest places in the world. The region is drained by various tributaries of the Brahmaputra River.
• They comprises 5 districts; North Garo Hills, East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills, South Garo Hills, and South-West Garo Hills.
• The Garo Hills are mostly dominated by the tribes known as Garos. The Garos call themselves Achik-mande.
• Garos form the second largest tribe in the state of Meghalaya. They are one of the last remaining matrilineal tribes in the world. 
• Their main festival is the Wangala festival, a harvest festival, which is predominantly celebrated by the Songsareks (those following the traditional religion of animism).
• Two mountain ranges, the Arabella range and the Tura range, pass through the Garo Hills, forming the great Balpakram valley in between.
• Balpakram area is considered sacred for the Garo community due to their belief that the spirits of the dead sojourn here.
• The highest point in the Garo Hills is Nokrek Peak, with an elevation of 1412 m, which is covered by a thick film of lush forest. 
• The region is home to the esteemed Nokrek National Park, protects a highly diverse plant and animal diversity. In 2009, the park was designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.