The Balpakram Baghmara Landscape

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.

Garo Hills Community Based Eco Tourism Initiative

Eco Tourism community mobilisation meeting 

The BBL’s stunning natural beauty, rich and diverse wildlife, and its unique tribal culture make it an ideal destination for the promotion of Eco-Tourism.  Samrakshan Trust ,(www.samrakshan.org), a wildlife conservation organization dedicated to conservation of rich biodiversity of Meghalaya, particularly South Garo hills. In 2010, Samrakshan Trust under its incentive based conversation programme launched a Community-based Ecotourism Initiative in Garo Hills which is blessed with rich natural values but are under serious threat from illegal coal mining. The prime motive is to provide the local community an alternative livelihood and an incentive to conserve the forests and the area’s bio-diversity. Samrakshan and the local community make every effort to ensure that its tourism is eco-friendly. The very essence of eco-tourism, that the eco-system remains unaffected by tourism, is at the heart of Samrakshan's eco-tourism policy. In order to ensure equitability and that the majority of the benefits reach the members of the local community Samrakshan has developed a robust community-based model for its Eco-Tourism Initiative.

Not only is the local community involved in conducting the tours, but a percentage of revenues from every tour are given back to the local community. The Community Development Fee and percentage of profit is being used for Community development and conservation activities. Community entrepreneurship groups have been set up by the local community to run and manage Eco tourism and ensure that the benefits reach local community.

The president of Siju Eco Tourism and Conservation Society Mr. Plinder Marak is handing over the cheque to the secretary of Siju Village Council during the Community Eco Tourism benefit sharing meeting at Siju