Nokrek  (Meghalaya) :

   Covered in thick forest, at an altitude of 1418 meters above sea level, Nokrek is the highest peak in the Garo Hills and home of the mother plant of Citrus-Indica (orange). An area of 47 sq. kms. around Nokrek has been declared a National Park. The entire Nokrek range has also been demarcated as a biosphere reserve where many rare species of plants and animals are found. Almost all the rivers of Garo Hills originate along these ranges and, the most famous is the Singsang River. The story of the wild jungle men locally called the Mande Burung is told to travelers, though this belief is slowly disappearing, the local villagers are convinced of their presence.

   The entire Nokrek Biosphere Reserve covers an area of about 800 sq. kms. and has a number of villages within its boundaries. Arrangements can be made for stay in these villages. Activities such as trekking, bird watching and observing wild elephants in their natural habitat are some of the interesting attractions while visiting this biosphere reserve. An exciting trekking track is from Nokrek to Tura the administrative headquarters of Garo Hills through the Tura Peak. This trekking track goes through some thick virgin tropical forests before reaching the Tura Peak. A breathtaking view of the rolling hills and Bramaputra in the distance greets you here.

   There are several picturesque sites and rivers surrounding Tura but a visit to Badadam area is a must. Here, Borangs or the original tree houses are a common sight. These are used by farmers in their jhum field as rest houses and protection against wild animals. The other structure that is typical to this area is the traditional bamboo house. The unique feature of this structure is that although made of bamboo, it is specially designed, and constructed to be ‘tiger proof’. Bamboo poles are fixed and tied in several layers to construct walls in such a manner that will make it impossible for a tiger to attack the dwellers unawares. Another interesting tradition practiced by the people is the erection of carved memorial posts (Kima) made of wood to commemorate the death of a loved one. Close to Tura, at the confluence of two rivers namely Ganol and Rongram is an old stone age site which is worth visiting especially for an anthropologist.

   It is believed that the orange tree originated in the hills of Meghalaya, and later the Arab merchants traded oranges from the Khasi hills, Garwal, and Sikkim and took them to Southern Europe.

   To experience this part of Meghalaya, one must realize that in Garo hills you are visiting an area and not sightseeing from spot to spot. This, is essence, is Garo hills. The village, folklore, tales of forests animals, and the thick tropical forest itself. The people in the villages know where to find a herd of elephants and can even identify which herd is where. Camping, trekking and just taking walks along nature trails is the thing to do. In the evenings sitting around campfires and listing to yarns is an experience in itself.

   The (British Military had a regular elephant-catching establishment in Dacca until 1900, when it was transferred to Burma because of depletion of herds in the Garo Hills as a result of excess catching.
Elephant gold – by P.D. Stracey.

   Super Orange tree – There has been instances of orange trees bearing large numbers of fruit annually. One of these trees in Sasatgre bore 5860 oranges at once which was a record. The Agriculture Department undertook this counting and the records are official.

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