The state of Meghalaya, India, includes in its list of district, the administrative district of West Garo Hills. The administrative headquarters of the district is the town of Tura. According to the census of 2011, the district occupies the second position in the list of the districts of Meghalaya having the maximum number of inhabitants; first being the East Khasi Hills. In the extreme western portion of the state of Meghalaya, the district of West Garo Hills is situated. The eastern frontier of the district is shared by the district of East Garo Hills, the south-eastern frontier of the district is shared by South Garo Hills, the northern and the north-western frontier of the district is shared by the state of Assam and the southern international border of the district is shared by the country of Bangladesh.

Meghalayas biggest state in terms of area is the district of West Garo Hills. It is situated in Meghalayas western portion. The West Garo Hills district and the East Garo Hills district are the two portions in which the district of Garo Hills are bifurcated into, in the month of October in 1976. Then again in the month of June in 1992, two another administrative districts were constructed, namely the West and South Garo Hills districts, from the former district of West Garo Hills. Tura is the administrative headquarters of the West Garo Hills. Meghalayas second biggest town in terms of area, is Tura; Shillong being the first biggest.

West Garo Hills History

In the last phase of the 18th century, following the Diwani of Bengal being acquired by the East India Company from the Mughal Emperor, the British and the Garos began to come in touch with each other. The British Rule took under itself, the authority of all the half autonomous provinces, which have been independent for realistic reasons. These provinces existed surrounding the Garo Hills. The British took the administrative authority over these provinces from the Mughals. However just like the Mughals, who had no interest in governing over these territories and their branches directly, even the British were having no intentions of administering them directly. The estates internal affairs and administration activities were not meddled with, by the British. If truth be told, they were actually left to themselves with the duty to keep the Garo Hills in running condition with some allowance from the British; this same arrangement was done and carried out by the Mughals. Towards the starting, the sporadic battle between the Garos and the Zamindars continued with any sign of subsiding or decreasing.

The British people were compelled to take charge of the circumstances, which had gone out of hand. Finally, in the year 1873, the Garo Hills were taken over by the British Government. The combined districts first Deputy Commissioner was Captain Williamson. The districts of East Garo Hills and West Garo Hills are the two parts in which the district was divided into, in the month of October in 1979. Again, the districts of West and South Garo hills were constructed as two administrative districts, out of the West Garo Hill district. This was done in June 1992. Baghmara is the administrative headquarters of the district.

West Garo Hills Climate

The South-west monsoon and seasonal winds dominates the weather of the West Garo Hills district. A reasonable amount of heat remains almost throughout the year, since the elevation of the place is comparatively less. 330 cms is the standard precipitation of the district. Out of the total precipitation, the monsoon months experience two-third of it. The winter months literally stays dry. By and large thick tropical mixed forest is there in the district. The more elevated portions of the Tura range contain little area of temperate forest.

West Garo Hills Culture

Farming related ordinary and frequent festivals are there. Wangala is one of the best festivals amongst the Garo festivals. This celebration centers around the god named Saljong. He is the god who supplies humans with all the Natures rewards and gifts and he also looks after their affluence and success. In this festival, respect is paid to the god Saljong. No permanent time or day is set apart to celebrate this festival. Various villages host it on varied time. In the month of October or November, Wangala generally takes place. To see to it, that all the preparations and plans are going in the right direction, accountability is taken by the Nokma village. From beforehand, a huge quantity of food and rice-beer is made. The Wangala dance, with its array of bright hues and people participating wearing their best attire, is the highest point of the festival. Men and women develop two distinct lines. Both the groups of men and women scuffle frontward, in parallel lines. This movement occurs along and on the drum and gong beats and with the tunes of horns blown by men.

West Garo Hills Tourism

Tourist places to visit in West Garo Hills are mentioned below:-
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve
Daribokgre Rural Tourism (Nokrek Biosphere Reserve)
Tura Peak
Pelga Falls
Wadagokgre
Kata Beel
Darga of Hazrat Shah Kamal Baba
Mir Jumlas Tomb
Arbella Peak
Rongbang Dare
Sasatgre
Chibragre
Rombagre
Mande Burung(Jungle Man)
Kima Songa(Totems or memorial posts)