Meghalaya - Ministry of Environment and Forests

9.2 Nongkhnum River IslandNongkhnum Island is the biggest River Island in Meghalaya and the second biggest island in Asia, after MajuliIsland in Assam. Located about 14 Kms from Nongstoin, the district hqs. of West Khasi Hills, it is 20 to 25 sq.kms in area. The area surrounded by the two Rivers, i.e. Phanliang and Namliang forms the NongkhnumIsland. Within the Island, there are big trees and areas of grassland and natural playground. There are plentyof fishing pools, especially near the sandy shore, called Wei-Phanliang.1.2.3.4.Name : Nongkhnum River IslandLocation : 91 0 14’ to 91 0 16’25 0 25’ to 25 0 27’Area : 25 Sq. KmsWetland type : Natural- Island formed by riversNongkhnum river island formed by the three rivers is aprominent feature appearing in the satellite image. TheIsland consists of forests, open scrubs and sand depositsalong the river. No significant change observed in thewetland boundary and turbidity in the pre- monsoon andpost-monsoon seasons.IRS P6 LISS III, February 2006NongkhnumIsland5.The climate of the West Khasi Hills is mildly tropical in thenorthern and southern foothills, while in the central uplandzone; the climate is temperate and places at medium altitudein the northern, western and southern parts of the districtexperience sub-tropical climate. Nongkhnum Island is thebiggest River Island in Meghalaya and the second biggestisland in Asia, after Majuli Island in Assam covering an area of25 Sq.Kms located about 14 Kms from Nongstoin, the districthqs. of West Khasi Hills. The Island is formed by thebifurcation of Kynshi River into the Phanliang River and theNamliang River. At the point of divergence, there is a beautifulsandy shore. The Phanliang River forms a beautiful lakeadjacent to the sandy beach. The River then moves along andbefore reaching a deep gorge, forms a pretty fall about 60meters high, called Shadthum Fall. At the bottom of the fall,there is a beautiful pool where a variety of fishes can befound. It then continues its journey and finally reunites with theNamliang River, near a place called Thongrin. There areplenty of fishing pools, especially near the sandy shore, calledWei- Phanliang.IRS P6 LISS III, December 2006NongkhnumIslandPlate 5: Nongkhnum River Island66