Meghalaya

A remarkable new species of toad has been discovered in the sacred groves of Mawphlang in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills, adding another significant chapter to the rich biodiversity of Northeast India. Scientists have named the newly identified species Duttaphrynus dhara in honour of the traditional Khasi female attire “Dhara”, paying tribute to the region’s cultural heritage, deep-rooted traditions and the close relationship between the Khasi people and their forests. The discovery was made during routine field surveys in the high-altitude landscapes of Mawphlang, located at around 1,854 metres above sea level. Researchers found the tiny toads hiding among leaf litter and low vegetation in fallow agricultural fields bordering dense montane forests. Unlike the common Asian toad often seen n...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has said that border fencing work along the India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya is nearing completion, with only around 40 to 45 kilometers remaining out of the total stretch. Speaking on the progress of border infrastructure development, Sangma said approximately 400 kilometers of fencing work has already been completed. “About 10 per cent work remains due to local issues,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the government is engaging with residents to address genuine concerns linked to the pending stretches. “We are talking to the locals and trying to solve the genuine issues,” Sangma said. The Chief Minister also stated that Meghalaya has made faster progress on border fencing compared to several other states. “In comparison to other s...

The National People’s Party (NPP) on Tuesday organised an election campaign meeting at New Nongstoin as part of its campaign for the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha by-election. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong, along with Nongstoin MLA, Gabriel Wahlang, Rambrai-Jyrngam MLA and MDC, R.G. Momin and Lurshai Kharbani, former Mawsynram MLA Himalaya Shangpliang, and several other party leaders. NPP’s MP candidate, Dr D.R.L. Nonglait, was also present and addressed the gathering, highlighting the party’s vision, principles, and commitment towards serving the nation and the community if elected to Parliament. The programme was chaired by G. Marbaniang, Secretary of New Nongstoin shnong. Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister Tynsong stated that Dr N...

The Meghalaya Cabinet on Wednesday cleared a one-time settlement scheme with up to 90 per cent exemption on penalties relating to motor vehicle tax, passenger and goods tax and fitness fees. The cabinet also approved proposed regulations on the use of name boards on Meghalaya government official vehicles and strengthen the forest administration in the state. Announcing the decision after the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said many commercial vehicles had accumulated heavy dues over the years due to pending renewals of taxes and fitness certificates. "While the actual fees are modest, penalties imposed over time became disproportionately high, creating severe financial stress for many, especially local transporters who depend on these vehicles for their livelihood. K...

The Academic Council of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) has officially finalized the syllabus for the fourth year of its Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP). The crucial emergency meeting was chaired by Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sumarbin Umdor in the absence of Vice-Chancellor Prof. P.S. Shukla. Addressing recent student anxieties, NEHUTA President Prof. Lakhon Kma firmly dismissed rumors that students would forfeit their three-year bachelor’s degree if they failed their final fourth-year papers. Under the National Education Policy (NEP), qualifications are progressive: students earn a certificate after one year, a diploma after two, and a degree after three. Kma emphasized that completing the third year secures a student's right to a standard degree, which cannot be revoked ...

The newly formed federation has submitted a detailed representation to the Meghalaya Governmentdemanding a 100 per cent waiver of all Piggery Mission loans, citing devastating losses caused by African Swine Fever (ASF), market collapse, and inadequate government support. In the memorandum addressed to Governor C. H. Vijayashankar, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, and Animal Husbandry Minister Sanbor Shullai, the federation stated that hundreds of piggery farmers across Meghalaya have been pushed into severe debt after repeated ASF outbreaks wiped out livestock and livelihoods. The federation alleged that the unregulated influx of pigs and pork products from states such as Assam, Punjab, and Delhi had further damaged local piggery businesses by crashing market prices and increasing ...

Work on the North East’s first skywalk at Dympep, Sohra is under progress and scheduled for completion towards the end of next year, NPP legislator Gavin Miguel Mylliem said Monday. Started in November last year, 20% work on the Rs 51-crore iconic bridge has been completed, said the Sohra legislator. “The work started in November last year. According to the reports from the department, the work progress is 20% till date,” Mylliem said. The 40-meter-long first-of-its-kind skywalk is aimed at driving tourist footfall to Dympep and adjoining areas. “I think we will be able to attract many tourists when they come to this part of the area,” he said. Mylliem also said the Nohkalikai tourism project under the PM-Divine scheme received sanction in November last year. With a project cost of around...

In a major recognition of grassroots ecological conservation, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award upon Meghalaya’s Hally War. The honor celebrates his decades-long dedication to preserving the state’s iconic living root bridges, locally known as Jingkieng Jri. Hailing from Siej village in the East Khasi Hills, War has spent his life nurturing the aerial roots of Ficus elastica (rubber fig) trees. He learned this ancient craft as a child from his grandfather, guiding young roots across streams and ravines to form sturdy, natural structures capable of surviving Meghalaya’s intense monsoon seasons. Over the years, his passion evolved from a childhood pastime into a lifelong mission to maintain these bridges and teach younger generations how to protect the s...

The power scenario in the state remains stable with no current shortages reported, according to Sanjay Goyal, Managing Director of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL). Expressing optimism for the upcoming weeks, Goyal noted that with the monsoon just around the corner, power availability is expected to improve further across the region. However, residents may continue to experience scheduled daytime shutdowns as the department aggressively pushes forward with extensive infrastructure upgrades. Goyal explained that these planned outages are necessary to safely execute vital maintenance work, which includes replacing old wiring, laying new lines, and installing additional transformers. The power department is actively engaging with local communities to take all localitie...