Meghalaya Research Articles

Identity, Deprivation and Demand for Bifurcation of the State of Meghalaya

The paper seeks to examine why the youths of the state of Meghalaya are forced into militancy and violence and are raising their demand for bifurcation of the state. To fulfil this objective first a brief description has been given on the formation of the state of Meghalaya. It is mentioned that unlike many other states in India that were created on linguistic basis, Meghalaya was carved out from Assam on the basis of ethnic identity. Though the state was created it continued to witness intolerance among various ethnic groups and between tribal and non-tribal population. The present demand for division of the state by Garos is another form of intolerance among ethnic groups within the state on linguistic basis. Garos feel that they are neglected and deprived by the Khasis, the major ethnic group in the state. The fact remains that it is not deprivation which is the root cause of dissension but intolerance among themselves and the so-called struggle for their identity and language. The authors argue that the more the ethnic groups stress on their differences the sharper will be the contours for conflict. There is a need to learn to live together and to solve their problems together. Since sharing of economic opportunities is the bone of contention between the two major ethnic groups, policy makers should stress on equitable distribution of development initiatives in the State. Bifurcation of such a small state is not the panacea for the present crisis.

Analysis of Muscular Endurance among Adolescent School Boys of North-Eastern States of India

In the present pushbutton era most of the adolescent are not participating in leisure activities and concentrate are on studies. Regular physical activity would be important for life’s quality even if it had no relationship to disease and longevity. Physical activity is a significant ingredient in the quality of life, because it increases energy and promotes, physical and mental well being in addition to conferring health benefits. Boys from various schools of [Tripura (TR), Meghalaya (ML), Assam (AS), Mizoram (MZ), Manipur (MN), Nagaland (NL) and Arunachal Pradesh (A.R.)] (N=21000) North-Eastern states of India were selected as subjects at random. Their age ranged from 13 to 15 years (studying from 7th to 10th standard). Muscular endurance was measured by the number of sit-ups in a one minute. The collected data were analyzed by using one-way ANOVA. Among the groups, if any significant difference, scheffe’s post hoc test was used to find out the paired mean difference (P ? 0.05). The results of the study show that the adolescent boys of North-Eastern states were differ on muscular endurance. Hence it was concluded that, age, geographical region, growth, social behaviour, food habits and level of physical activity may influence the muscular endurance of adolescent boys.

Phenology and Geographic Extension of Lycophyta and Fern flora in Nokrek Biosphere Reserve of Eastern Himalaya

Tropical and subtropical hilly vegetation in Himalayan regions are well suited for the taxonomical research because of the diverse habitat available in close proximity and the regions promote high species richness and endemism due to variation in slopes, soils, rocks, microclimate, exposure, latitude and altitude. Pteridophytes have evolved to fill the ecological niche between the angiosperms and the gymnosperms. During the course of recent study towards the pteridophytes of Nokrek Biosphere Reserve in eastern Himalaya, a few new taxa are described and geographical distribution extension of several previously reported species have also come to light. Studies based mainly on collections made during the last 6 years have resulted in the revised description of the 19 species of lycophyta and ferns viz. Asplenium gueinzianum, Argostemma perakense, Asplenium sinense, Cyclosorus crinipes, Diplazium pseudosetigerum, Hymenasplenium cheilosorum, Lemmaphyllum microphyllum, , Lemmaphyllum rostratum, Loxogramme chinensis, Lygodium microphyllum, Microlepia hancei, Microlepia rhomboidia, Neocheiropteris zippelii, Pleopeltis macrosphaera, Pseudocyclosorus falcilobus, Pteriscadieri var. hainanensis, Pyrrosia lanceolata, Pyrrosia longifolia and Tectaria paradoxa from the Meghalaya state recorded for the first time. Full species citations, taxonomic notes, phenology time, chromosome counts, ecology, specimen studied, previously known distributions and citation records are given for all taxa. Recent collections show the richness of the flora of Meghalaya and permit more accurate taxonomic and phytogeographic comparisons with lycophyta and fern flora from adjacent areas.

Ferret-Badger Records from Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Nagaland, India

Ferret-Badger Records from Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Nagaland, India

Mapping disaster vulnerability in India using analytical hierarchy process

Disasters are the coincidences between hazardous events, elements at risk, and conditions of vulnerability. Vulnerability integrates social and environmental systems to reduce the intensity and frequency of these risks. By categorizing regions according to their level of vulnerability, one can examine and assess the possible impacts of developmental and environmental degradation processes. This study is an attempt to map the sub-national areas (districts) in India that are vulnerable to natural and climate-induced disasters. The assessment is considered under the framework of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change definition of vulnerability. Using analytical hierarchy process as a multi-criteria decision-mapping method, vulnerability is measured in terms of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Based on this mapping assessment, districts in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal are the most vulnerable regions; while districts in the state of Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Karnataka are among the least vulnerable regions. The results of this study can serve as the basis for targeting prioritization efforts, emergency response measures, and policy interventions at district level for mitigating disaster vulnerability in the country.

Additions to the Fern Flora of M­­eghalaya State

Athyrium schimperi Moug. ex Fée, Athyrium rupicola (Edgew. ex C. Hope) C. Chr. and Athyrium pectinatum (Wall. ex Mett.) T. Moore are reported here as new addition to the fern flora of Meghalaya state.

Bulbophyllum cherrapunjeensis (Orchidaceae), a new species from Meghalaya, India

Bulbophyllum Petit-Thouars (1822: tab. 3) is the largest orchid genus, comprising about 1900 species, largely distributed in tropical areas of both New and Old Worlds (Chen & Vermeulen 2009). There are about 100 species in India and about 63 in northeastern India (Augustine et al 2001, Misra 2007). Kataki (1986) reported 28 species of Bulbophyllum from the state of Meghalaya. During our botanical exploration to Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, in July 2013, we found a new species described below.

Occurrence of Rare Earth Elements in Parts of Nongpoh Granite, Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya

Occurrence of Rare Earth Elements in Parts of Nongpoh Granite, Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya

The India–Bangladesh Border Fence: Narratives and Political Possibilities

The fencing of the India–Bangladesh border mirrors Scott's understanding of “final enclosure” wherein “distance-demolishing technologies” and “modern conceptions of sovereignty” converge to demarcate firm boundaries of territory from previously ambiguous space (Scott, J. 2009. The Art of Not Being Governed: An Anarchist History of Southeast Asia, 11. New Haven: Yale University Press). This paper examines the different narratives surrounding the fence at the national level in India and in the borderland itself, focussing on the state of Meghalaya. These narratives reveal the ways the border fence is discussed and understood and the political positions taken on the fence in these different spaces. In examining these I present two key findings. The first is that the border fence is narrated and politicized differently at the national level and in the borderland. The second is that within the borderlands there is not a singular “borderland narrative” of the fence but several, reflecting dominant political positions already entrenched and new ways of articulating insecurity being brought by fence construction; though the former is more prominent than the latter.

Measuring Rural Development

This article is an attempt to assess the impact of the solar home lighting systems in the socio-economic development of rural areas and to measure the extent of welfare and level of satisfaction among the beneficiaries of solar home lighting systems in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Focus group discussions techniques were used to gather the information from the selected villages. The solar home lighting systems have improved the standard of living of the beneficiaries. They now watch TV and listen to the radio for entertainment and news. School-going children can study in the evenings for longer time and score more marks in the examinations. Girls among the Adivasis are encouraged to go to school. Drop-out rate has been reduced. Women find it more comfortable to do household chores. Working hours have been increased in the evening. Income generation activities are also being initiated, but at a slower pace. Expenditure on kerosene has been reduced significantly. Solar home lighting systems thus bring socio-economic changes in remote villages for the better.

Inter-ethnic relations in Meghalaya

The Indian state of Meghalaya, since its creation in 1972, had been raven by ethnic conflicts between the indigenous tribes and settler non-tribal communities. The domination of business establishments, labour force and other employment opportunities by settlers who are mainly economic migrants from Bangladesh, Nepal and other parts of India resulted in anxiousness among the native locals, resulting in three ethnic riots between indigenous tribals and settler non-tribal communities. By the turn of the twentieth century the state witnessed a relative change in the nature of relations between the ethnic communities. While the relations between the indigenous tribals and settler communities have relatively improved, ethnic tensions shifted to the indigenous tribes. This article uses the perceived threat hypothesis and a combination of rational choice theory and interpretivism to explain empirically observed realities in Meghalaya. Emphasis is placed on the post-1992 period, focusing on the emerging ethnic relations between the indigenous tribes of Meghalaya.

A new species of Tangius from north India (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae)

Tangius indicus sp. n. (Batrisitae: Batrisini) is described and illustrated from the Indian States of Meghalaya (Khasi Hills, type locality) and West Bengal (Darjeeling). Specimens of the new species are similar to those of the recently described T. glabellus Yin & Li from Tibet, Southwest China, and can be separated only by minor differences of the male features.

Molecular Characterization of Meghalaya Local Pigs (Niang Megha) using Microsatellite Markers

Molecular characterization using 21 microsatellite markers recommended by Food and Agricultural Organization of United Nations (FAO) for Swine revealed less genetic diversity in Meghalaya Local pig (Niang Megha). The loci used for investigation are informative. The number of observed alleles (N a ) detected ranged from 2 to 6, with an overall mean of 3.9±1.30. A total of 82 alleles were observed across all the loci. The effective number of alleles (N e ) ranged from 1.145 to 4.2169 with a mean of 2.52±0.89. The frequency of allele values ranged from 0.0303 to 0.9333. The polymorphic information content (PIC) value ranged from 0.1227 to 0.7281. The overall means for observed (H O ) and expected (H e ) heterozygosities were 0.545±0.279 and 0.548±0.179 respectively. The within-population inbreeding estimate (F IS ) indicated heterozygosity deficiency of 0.0311. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test revealed that 15 loci out of 21 deviated from equilibrium. The Shannon’s information index (I) was sufficiently high with a mean of 1 and bottleneck analysis revealed that population is not undergone any recent reduction.

A close-up view on ITS2 evolution and speciation in the carnivorous plant families with representatives from Meghalaya, India

A close-up view on ITS2 evolution and speciation in the carnivorous plant families with representatives from Meghalaya, India

Effect of native bacteria Sinomonas flava 1C and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans on desulphurization of Meghalaya coal and its combustion properties

Coal collected from Meghalaya state situated in northeastern (NE) region of India contains about 6.17% total sulphur (4.7% organic) with a gross calorific value of 26,208J/g. In the present study, the coal sample was subjected to biodesulphurization along with optimization of various process parameters using a bacteria isolated from the native coal mine site. The native bacterium was identified to be Sinomonas flava 1C and reported first time for the capability to remove about 40% of sulphur from the coal. An innovative two-step sequential leaching using S. flava 1C followed by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans was used in the present study to enhance desulphurization. Sequential leaching resulted in 50–53% of sulphur removal from the coal sample. Sequential leaching reduced the sulphur content to 3.08% (organic 2.15%+pyritic 0.1% and 0.85% of sulphate sulphur) in −500+300μm size fraction of coal. Analytical characterization indicated that the energy value of coal was not affected adversely due to the biodesulphurization process rather its calorific value increased from 26,208J/g to 29,481J/g.

Three new species of horned frogs, Megophrys (Amphibia: Megophryidae), from northeast India, with a resolution to the identity of Megophrys boettgeri populations reported from the region.

Northeast India is a well-established region of biological importance but remains poorly understood with regards to the species level identifications of many of its extant amphibians. In this study we examined small sized frogs from the genus Megophrys recently collected from remote and suburban forests in the northeast Indian states of Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, from which we have identified three new species. Megophrys vegrandis sp. nov., Megophrys ancrae sp. nov. and Megophrys oropedion sp. nov. are compared with all known congeners from India and surrounding regions from which they differ based primarily on a combination of morphological characters. Megophrys boettgeri is removed, and Megophrys minor added to the Indian amphibian checklist, through critical review of all literature pertaining to the former species, and the discovery of an overlooked historical report of the latter species. Two of the new species, Megophrys ancrae sp. nov. and Megophrys vegrandis sp. nov. are known from low and mid elevations within two large protected forests in Arunachal Pradesh, both with poorly studied amphibian fauna. Contrastingly, Megophrys oropedion sp. nov. is currently known only from small forested areas on the upper reaches of the Shillong Plateau. The importance of the Shillong Plateau as an area of known high amphibian endemicity is highlighted in the light of the miniscule proportion of its land area afforded government protection, raising concerns about the future conservation of its still poorly known species.

Geospatial study on morphometric characterization of Umtrew River basin of Meghalaya, India

Geospatial technology that is, remote sensing (RS), geographical information system (GIS) and global positioning system (GPS) have proved to be an efficient tool in the field of modern day geographical and geological studies. GIS and Remote sensing techniques have been adopted for the identification of different morphological features and to analyze their existence in a hilly river basin of Meghalaya plateau, which is located in the two North-East Indian states of Meghalaya and Assam. Morphometric analysis of any drainage basin can be very much effective in determining the landform characteristics and the processes and components behind its development. The morphometric parameters of the study area have been discussed with respect to linear, areal and relief aspects. The geological formation of the basin area varies from Shillong group of rocks in the undulated hilly areas of Meghalaya plateau to unconsolidated river alluvium in the plain parts of Brahmaputra valley. It is a 7th order drainage basin and the entire drainage network can be defined as “Trellis” in nature. It has been observed that the drainage density value is in between medium to low which indicates that the basin has highly permeable sub-soil material and thick vegetative cover in the most of its areas. The moderate values of bifurcation ratio in the basin area indicates the possibilities of structural control over the development of the entire drainage network. The circularity ratio value reveals that the basin is elongated in shape and a predominance of highly permeable homogenous geologic material. The aim of the present study is to find out the various sets of inherent factors which were behind the formation of this river basin and its hydrologic nature. Key words: Umtrew River basin, drainage, morphometric, hydrologic, geographical information system (GIS).

Evaluation of Proximate and Mineral Composition of Wild Edible Leaves, Traditionally used by the Local People of Meghalaya State in India

Evaluation of Proximate and Mineral Composition of Wild Edible Leaves, Traditionally used by the Local People of Meghalaya State in India

Institutional arrangement and typology of community forests of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland of North-East India

Most community forests in hill regions of northeast India have been managed by traditional local institutions for centuries and most of these institutions remain functional even today. Higher forest coverage on private and community lands as compared to government land indicates that traditional institutions effectively manage community forests in the region. The present study was conducted through a survey of literature and field work using participatory research tools viz., PRA exercises, group discussions and questionnaire interviews with key informants in northeast India. We categorized the institutions involved in conservation and management of forests into three major types: traditional, quasi-traditional and modern. Traditional institutions with hierarchal structure were found in all states and are intact and functional in the state of Meghalaya. Quasi-traditional institutions, a blend of traditional and modern institutions were prevalent in Nagaland while modern institutions have almost replaced traditional institutions in Mizoram. We recorded at least eleven types of community forests viz., group of village forest, village forest, restricted forest, sacred forest, clan forest, cemetery forest, regeneration forest, bamboo forest, recreation forest, village reserved forest and medicinal plantation in villages of three states. The tribal people, through long-term trial and error experiments, have developed an elaborate, functional and generally democratic system of conservation and management of forests and associated natural ecosystems. Several forest and natural resource management lessons can be learnt from the institutional structure and decision making system of the evolving and dynamic institutions of tribal communities of the region.

Prevalence of Head and Neck Cancer in the State of Meghalaya: Hospital-based Study

ABSTRACTIn India, 20 to 40% of all cancer arises in the head and neck region. The highest rate is seen in the eastern and southern regions of our country. The alarming high prevalence of head and neck cancer (HNC) in this region has prompted us to undertake this retrospective study. This study is to give the picture on the prevalence of HNC in the region, as such studies are lacking, till date. This is a 5 years retrospective study of cancer patients from 2007 to 2011 who have been registered in Civil Hospital, Shillong. The period of study is short as registry before 2007 was not properly recorded, but the high prevalence of cancer especially HNC warranted the need to undertake this retrospective study. During the 5-year period, there were a total of 3,123 cancer patients, registered in Civil Hospital, Shillong. In this study, HNC and esophageal cancer constitute 2,207 (70.67%) cases of the total body malignancy (TBM) which is much higher than other studies done in other parts of the country. Fourth decade is the most common age group comprising of 471 cases which accounts for 32.72% of all HNC. This high prevalence of HNC in the young population of the region is alarming and hence needs a comprehensive afford to meet this challenge.This paper, therefore, is an attempt to quantify the spectrum of HNC in the region hoping that this paper will help the health professionals to understand the burden of HNC in the region, so as to generate strategies for future planning.How to cite this articleShunyu NB, Syiemlieh J. Prevalence of Head and Neck Cancer in the State of Meghalaya: Hospital-based Study. Int J Head and Neck Surg 2013;4(1):1-5.