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{{more citations needed|date=November 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Chandigre
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Village
| image_skyline = Rain Shelter Chandigre West Garo Oct24 A7CR 03553.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Rain shelter cum view tower
| pushpin_map = India Meghalaya
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|25.527269|N|90.327383|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Meghalaya]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 810
| population_total = 454
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 =
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = English
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number]]
| postal_code = 794002
| registration_plate =
| website = https://westgarohills.gov.in/
| footnotes =
}}

'''Chandigre ''' is a village in the [[West Garo Hills district]], [[Meghalaya]], [[India]]. Chandigre is located close to the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve. The economy is largely agrarian, following the traditional ''jhum'' system of rotational slash-and-burn cropping to a limited extent. Most of the houses are traditional bamboo buildings. The Chandigre Rural Tourist Resort offers tourists an experience of the traditional Garo way of life.

==Description==
[[File:Bamboo Houses Chandigre West Garo Oct24 A7CR 03549.jpg|thumb|Traditional bamboo houses (front and back) with corrugated iron roofs. Newer brick house in the middle. Ca. October 2024]]
Chandigre village is located in the Rongram [[Community development block|Community & Rural Development (C&RD) block]] in the West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya.<ref name="CensusWestGaroA">{{Cite book|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/870/download/36348/DH_2011_1701_PART_A_DCHB_WEST_GARO_HILLS.pdf |first=|title=Meghalaya: District Census Handbook: West Garo Hills -- Village and Town Directory|publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Meghalaya, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India|year=2011|isbn=|series=2 Part XII A|location=}}</ref>{{rp|page=331}} It falls under the North Tura Meghalaya assembly constituency and the North [[Tura Lok Sabha constituency]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 January 2023 |title=Polling Booth in North Tura Assembly Constituency |url=https://www.elections.in/meghalaya/polling-stations/north-tura.html |access-date=31 October 2024 |website=[[Election Commission of India]]}}</ref> The houses are large bamboo structures called ''Nokmong''. Each accommodates one family. Alongside are granaries (''Jam nok''), woodsheds and pig sties.<ref name="Burling"/>{{rp|pages=21}}<ref name="GaroArch">{{Cite web |date=24 October 2024 |title= Culture & Heritage: Garo Architecture |url=https://westgarohills.gov.in/culture-heritage/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |website=[[West Garo Hills district]], [[Government of Meghalaya]]}}</ref>

== Geography ==
Chandigre is situated in the West Garo Hills at an elevation of {{Convert|810|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The West Garo Hills run from east to west in the western part of Meghalaya, in the bend of the [[Brahmaputra River|Brahmaputra river]] as it turns from west to south. The distance from Chandigre to Asananggre, headquarters of the Rongram C&RD Block, is {{Convert|20.5|km|mi|abbr=on}}, and to Tura, district headquarters, is {{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}}. [[Shillong]], the capital of Meghalaya, is {{Convert|297|km|mi|abbr=on}} distant.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

=== Climate ===
Chandigre has a tropical climate, hot and humid during the summer and rainy season (March - October) and pleasantly cool during the short winter (December - February). June - August is the period of heavy rain.<ref name="CensusWestGaroA"/>{{rp|page=5}}

== Demographics ==
[[File:Front Side Baptist Churdh Chandigre West Garo Oct24 A7CR 03556.jpg|thumb|Chandigre Baptist Church]]
In 2011, the total population was 454 in 74 households. Among these 49.1% were female. There were no [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|scheduled castes]] while over 95% belonged to [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|scheduled tribes]]. The [[Literacy|literacy rate]] was 68.9%.<ref name="CensusWestGaroB">{{Cite book|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/871/download/36348/DH_2011_1701_PART_B_DCHB_WEST_GARO_HILLS.pdf |first=|title=Meghalaya: District Census Handbook: West Garo Hills -- Village and Town Wise Primary Census Abstract (PCA)|publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Meghalaya, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India|year=2011|isbn=|series=2 Part XII B|location=}}</ref>{{rp|page=148–9}} Chandigre is predominantly Christian,{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} although in the rural areas of the West Garo Hills District as a whole, Christians were 59.0%, Muslims comprised 18.6% and Hindus were 18.3%.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |date=21 January 2021 |title=C-01: Population by religious community, Meghalaya - 2011 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11384/download/14497/DDW17C-01%20MDDS.XLS |access-date=31 October 2024 |website=[[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India]]}}</ref>

== Governance ==
Traditionally, the village was governed by one or more male ''nokmas'' (headmen). These are selected from the leading households of the village based on lineage. The ''nokma'' in consultation with the households allots the plots for ''jhumming'' every year. He also is responsible for settling disputes. As the Garo society is matrilinal, the ''nokma'' typically looks for a young man from his own lineage to marry his daughter. The son-in-law then inherits the household and becomes ''nokma'' when the father-in-law dies.<ref name="Burling"/>{{rp|pages=223–35}}<ref name="Dialogue2005">{{Cite journal |last=Chaudhury |first=D.R. |date=July–September 2005 |title=Autonomous District Councils and Panchayati Raj Institutions in North-East India |url=http://asthabharati.org/Dia_Jul%2005/dip.htm |journal=Dialogue |publisher=Astha Bharati |publication-place=Delhi |volume=7 |issue=1}}</ref>

The system has evolved after Indian Independence. The [[Garo Hills Autonomous District Council]] passed the Garo Hills District (Jhum) Regulation Act, 1954 that confers on the ''nokma'' the right to allot ''jhum'' land. However, disputes related to allotment are now referred to the Village Council instead of being resolved by the ''nokma''. Village Councils were created based on the Constitution of Village Council Act in 1958. The Village Council is intended to make each village a self-sufficient, efficiently administered unit. It is responsible for maintenance of public paths, roads, wells, tanks, etc., for registration of births and deaths and other record keeping, etc.<ref name="Dialogue2005"/>

=== Chandigre Community Reserve ===
Since 2013, the Forest Department, Government of Meghalaya has declared 64 Community Reserves under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The Chandigre Community Reserve with an area of {{cvt|37|ha|acre|abbr=on}} was notified on 10 July 2013. The notification gives complete control of the Community Reserve to the community to protect the flora and fauna, and the traditional conservation values and practices. All traditional rites and rituals are permitted, though hunting is not allowed. The Reserve is managed by the Chandigre Community Reserve Management Committee.<ref name="CRNotify">{{Cite web |date=24 February 2021 |title=Community Reserves |url=https://www.megforest.gov.in/wildlife_community.html |access-date=4 November 2024 |website=[[Government of Meghalaya|Meghalaya Forests and Environment Department]]}}</ref>

==Amenities==
[[File:Football Match Chandigre West Garo Oct24 A7CR 03548.jpg|thumb|Football field near the Rural Tourist Resort]]
As of 2011, pre-primary, primary and middle schooling were available within {{Convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}} of Chandigre. For secondary school and higher education, students had to commute more than {{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The village has several water sources including piped water, well water and springs. Mobile telephony and electricity supply are available. The village has a sports field. The village [[Postal Index Number|pincode]] is 794002 though there is no post office.<ref name="CensusWestGaroA"/>{{rp|page=376–382}}

==Economy==
[[File:Goat Chandigre West Garo Oct24 A7CR 03543.jpg|thumb|Domestic goat foraging by the roadside]]
The economy is largely agrarian. In 2011, people cultivating their own or leased land comprised 75% of the main workers (those employed for >6 months in a year).<ref name="CensusWestGaroB"/>{{rp|page=150–51}} Weaving of cane and bamboo products is done by households mostly for their own use, also increasingly for sale to tourists. They make bamboo mats, ''kok'' (traditional baskets), and a variety of containers.<ref name="CensusWestGaroA"/>{{rp|page=10}}

=== Agriculture ===
The traditional ''jhum'' system of rotational cropping is followed to a limited extent. In the ''jhum'' system, ''A'king'' land is owned by the community. Each year, the ''Nokma'' allots plots of ''A'king'' land to each household for pre-determined crops. After 2 years of use, a plot is left fallow for 6–8 years during which scrub forest grows. When the plot is again allotted for cropping, the scrub forest is cleared and burnt in a planned operation.<ref name="Burling">{{Cite book |last=Burling |first=R. |title=Rengsanggri |publisher=Tura Book Room, Garo Baptist Convention |year=1997 |edition=2nd |location=Tura}}</ref>{{rp|pages=27–42}}<ref name="CensusWestGaroA"/>{{rp|page=8}} This traditional cycle of 'slash-and-burn' rotational cultivation is believed to be sustainable ecologically and culturally.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Current Science Reports |date=25 February 2022 |title=Jhum for Sustainability: Agrobiodiversity in Garo Hills |journal=[[Current Science]] |volume=122 |issue=4 |pages=376}}</ref>

In the first year, the plot is used for vegetables such as sweet potato, ginger, varieties of beans, sugarcane, onions, etc. In the second year, grains such as rice, maize or millet are grown on the plot. Bananas, oranges and pineapples are also grown. Gourds and squashes are grown on frames or on the walls of houses. In some plots, cash crops such as areca, cotton and chilli peppers are planted. The planting of vegetables is somewhat random, adding variety to the diet and improving the soil health. In a few low lying plots, rice is cultivated continuously.<ref name="Burling"/>{{rp|pages=27–42}}

In recent times, some families took advantage of a custom that permitted planting of crops on any land not already covered by the ''jhum'' system. They constructed permanent fields in low-lying areas to grow wet rice. Some also planted pineapples, tea, coffee, oranges and areca palms.<ref name="ChandigreTourism">{{Cite web |date=November 2024 |title=Chandigre Village Experience: In The Lap of Nature |url=https://www.meghalayatourism.in/experiences-4/in-the-lap-of-nature-chandigre-village-experience/ |access-date=8 November 2024 |website=Meghalaya Tourism, Department of Tourism, [[Government of Meghalaya]]}}</ref> These families moved their houses away from the central village to the location of their permanent fields. Such permanent fields can be surveyed by the district administration and title (''patta'') granted to the cultivators. With the title comes the obligation to pay taxes, which is not the case with ''jhum'' land. These developments have created greater inequality in the village.<ref name="Burling"/>{{rp|pages=323–32}}

=== Animal husbandry ===
Raising of livestock is common though secondary to agriculture. The main animals are cattle, goats, pigs and fowl.<ref name="SHB2023">{{Cite book |url=https://des.megplanning.gov.in/pub_ref.htm |title=Statistical Handbook of Meghalaya 2023 |publisher=[[Government of Meghalaya|Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Meghalaya]] |date=November 2023 |location=Shillong |access-date=31 October 2024}}</ref>{{rp|page=71}}<ref name="CensusWestGaroA"/>{{rp|page=9}}

==Transport==
Chandigre is connected to important places in the district by black-topped roads. The Meghalaya Transport Corporation buses run at infrequent intervals. Many private buses serve the district regularly. Taxis, vans and cycle rickshaws are available for hire.<ref name="CensusWestGaroA"/>{{rp|page=11, 380}} The nearest railway station and airport are in [[Guwahati]], [[Assam]], at distances of 211 km (131 mi) and 195 km (121 mi) respectively.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

== Tourism ==
The Chandigre Rural Tourist Resort is an initiative of the [[Government of Meghalaya|Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA)]] aimed at giving visitors an experience of authentic Garo lifestyle. Funded by the [[Ministry of Tourism (India)|Ministry of Tourism, Government of India]] and the Government of Meghalaya, the Resort is run by the village community. The Resort was opened to the public on 9 January 2013. It is the second such project by the MBDA, the first being Ghasura Park, [[Ampati]], South West Garo Hills district.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 January 2013 |title=A success story of IBDLP on convergence: Chandigre Rural Tourism Project |url=https://mbda.gov.in/sites/default/files/publication-52.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108152022/https://mbda.gov.in/sites/default/files/publication-52.pdf |archive-date=8 November 2024 |access-date=8 November 2024 |website=[[Government of Meghalaya|Meghalaya Basin Development Authority]]}}</ref>

Chandigre was chosen for the Tourism Resort because of its proximity to several tourist attractions. It is close to the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve and is a convenient base for trekking in the [[Nokrek National Park]]. The [[Daribokgre]] entrance is {{Convert|9|km|mi|abbr=on}} distant. Other tourist attractions located nearby include Rongbang Falls, Songkal Wari Open River Fish Sanctuary, and the Hoolock Gibbon Rescue Centre at Chinabat.<ref name="ChandigreTourism"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=OT Staff |date=17 February 2024 |title=Did You Know About Meghalaya's Nokrek Biosphere Reserve? |url=https://www.outlooktraveller.com/experiences/nature/did-you-know-about-meghalayas-nokrek-biosphere-reserve |access-date=8 November 2024 |website=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook Traveller]]}}</ref>

==References==
{{Commons category|Chandigre}}
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Villages in West Garo Hills district]]
[[Category:Tourism in Meghalaya]]
[[Category:Garo Hills]]
[[Category:Biosphere reserves of India]]

Chandigre - Revision history

Sanjay: Added a info