Kalamati Explained

Kalamati
Pushpin Map:India Assam#India
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Assam, India
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: India
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Assam
Subdivision Type2:District
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Total Km2:350
Population Density Km2:auto
Demographics Type1:Languages
Demographics1 Title1:Official
Demographics1 Info1:Boro/Assamese
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Postal Code:783393
Iso Code:IN-AS-26

Kalamati is a popular picnic spot located north of Chirang district,Bodoland Territorial Region,Assam, India, and shares a border with Bhutan.[1] [2] [3]

History

Kala ;[4] Assamese:[ˈɔxɔm] meaning ‘color black’ and Mati meaning soil is black. Kalamati is situated on the banks of a stream.

Etymology-

Maoria Hajw (बर'/बड़ो [bɔɽo]) is known for orchids. Maoria means ‘orphan’ and Hajw means ‘hill’. There are no other hills near Maoria Hajw.[5]

Hajw Agor literally translates to "the hills with design."During the day, it 'displays seven colors' - red, white, black, yellow, green, navy blue, and sky blue

Mwider Khor, is the elephant trapping area.The forest elephants would enter the boundary and normally get adjusted with the domestic elephants and wild elephants along with their domestic ones.

Geography

Kalamati is located among the foothills of North East Indian Himalaya,south of Bhutan and north of chirang.It is one of the famous tourist destinations in Chirang District,BTR.with parts of existing districts of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon and Barpeta.

Flora and fauna

An array of flora & fauna dominates the area, with each region having specific feature. It is a hub for medicinal plants, many edible wild fruits and herbs.Golden Langur here relishes a variety of orchid and find wild dog, rhesus macaque, spotted deer, civets, leopard, porcupine, wild boar, giant squirrel, flying squirrel, and pangolin.

The forest task protection force

About 2 kms away from main Koilamoila market is the Forest Protection Task Force camp maintained by New Horizon, a community-based conservation NGO.

The Forest Protection Task Force is an initiative of the BTAD government to keep vigil of the forest resources in its four districts i.e. Chirang, Kokrajhar, Baksa and Udalguri.

Eco-tourism prospect

Kalamati is a prospective tourist's site and there is scope for the development of Eco-tourism as an alternative livelihood for the communities.[6] There are several trekking routes in the area, and can be entered passing via aesthetically serene surroundings. Just 3km from Kalamati is Golthek point, the orange collection point, which is a potential tourist spot.

About 15-20 Bhutanese families camp at during the winter months for collection of oranges from the forest.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kalamati. 21 April 2023.
  2. Web site: Indrani. Ghose. Kalamati Popular Tourist Destination in Chirang Assam. October 1, 2019. April 24, 2023.
  3. Web site: Kalamati a Glance. 25 April 2023.
  4. 3 August 2020.
  5. Web site: KALAMATI POPULAR TOURIST DESTINATION IN CHIRANG ASSAM. 21 April 2023.
  6. Web site: Kalamati a Glance. 25 April 2023.