One of the intriguing districts of Meghalaya is Ri-Bhoi, also known as the “Grain Basket of Meghalaya”.
31 years have passed since its upgradation as a district on June 4, 1992. Earlier, Ri Bhoi was a civil sub-division.
Geographically, the district was carved out from the erstwhile East Khasi hills district, lying between north latitudes 25 15’ and 26 15’ and between east longitudes 91 45’ and 92 15’, comprising sections of the Khasi kingdoms – Mylliem syiemship, Khyrim syiemship, Nongspung syiemship, Nongkhlaw syiemship, whole of Nongpoh sirdarship (erstwhile Nongpoh syiemship), Myrdon sirdarship and the erstwhile Nongwah syiemship.
Interestingly, Nongwah syiemship is one of the missing Khasi states, in urgent need for restoration, both administratively and territorially.
Presently, Ri Bhoi is bounded by the Kamrup, Morigoan and Nagoan districts of Assam (on the north); West Karbi Anglong district of Assam (on the East); East and West Khasi Hills districts (on the South); and Eastern West Khasi Hills district (on the West).
Nongpoh is the district headquarter of Ri Bhoi, while Nongpoh town falls under Nongpoh sirdarship, located 53 km away from Shillong and 50 km from Guwahati, making it an easy place to reach.
Ri Bhoi occupies an area of 2448.00 sq.kms, excluding the geographical areas under the erstwhile Nongwah syiemship and other places, which fall under the “Areas of Differences” between Assam and Meghalaya.
RB Shadap, the joint-secretary of Ri Bhoi District Demand Committee (RBDDC) in 1992, gave an idea about its importance.
He said, “Since 1965, the Ri Bhoi Dorbar was formed to demand for Ri Bhoi Regional Council. The founding members were Dr. DD Lapang, Rev. Fr. Sylvanus Lyngdoh Sngi, JD Rymbai, Jor Sing Syiem (IAS), S Roklin Shadap, FS Lapang and F Makhroh. The Dorbar joined the demand for the Hill State.”
Post statehood, the Ri Bhoi Dorbar demanded an administrative unit in 1972, which was granted in the same year. In 1976, it became a civil sub-division under the Khasi Hills district.
It was under then chief minister, DD Lapang (also MLA of Nongpoh Constituency) that Ri Bhoi became a full-fledged district.
Speaking about the development of the region from 1992 onwards, Shadap added, “We are moving towards development in all sectors but when it comes to government jobs for the local people, we are still lagging behind and have a long way to go. With education comes the expectations of easy income. Our youths are still jobless and being dominated by others when it comes to government jobs within the district. By local is meant those who are domicile of the Ri Bhoi district.”
Referring to the farming sector, he pointed out, “Compared to previous years in this sector, we are observing a downward spiral. All the paddy fields have been filled with concrete buildings, factories, and fish ponds. Our farming land has been refilled for factories. This is the sad reality and we speak of development.”
Speaking about representation, he said, “Since 1992, our district has produced few IAS and few MPS/MCS. We need our youth to strive forward because we expect a bright future for our children.”
On the demand for districthood, RR Kynsai Makdoh, the general secretary of RBDDC, recalled, “Back then, we were always left behind on all fronts, be it education, government jobs, and development. We were always in the last line. Keeping this reality in mind, we formed the committee. With leaders like JD Rymbai (chairperson), RB Shadap (joint secretary), FS Lapang (vice-chairperson) and other leaders from Ri Bhoi, we demanded districthood, which was granted within a few months. We deserved this. CD Kynjing (IAS) and BR Rana (MPS) were our first Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, respectively in 1992.”
“Our district has every potential of growth, be it in the farming/agricultural sector or industrial development. What we need is dedication and the will to be dynamic,” he added.
Looking ahead, he sounded optimistic. “31 years is a long time. We need to compete with other districts and states, and will win this competition only if the residents here are hard working and determined. It doesn’t matter if you’re Khynriam, Pnar, or Maram. You’re in Ri Bhoi if you are part of our district. Whatever one achieves reflects the progress here. I urge the youth to be active in education, sports, entrepreneurship so that we collectively contribute to development of Ri Bhoi.”
Among other tourism spots, Ri Bhoi has the famous Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, which supports different species of fauna such as the Clouded Leopard, Indian Bison, and Himalayan Black Bear, to name a few. Among the birds, the rare species of Manipur Bush Quail, Rufous Necked Hornbill and Brown Hornbill, can be spotted here.
How Ri Bhoi will develop in the years to come remains to be seen. What is evident is the untapped potential of the district.