West Khasi Nongstoin Medicinal Plants Jainsem Weaving Meghalaya

West Khasi Hills district centred on Nongstoin is the least developed and most forested division of the Khasi Hills, where subtropical and montane forests provide habitat for the clouded leopard, Hoolock gibbon, and hundreds of orchid species. Khasi women's traditional dress — the Jainsem (a two-piece formal garment) and the Dhara (informal wraparound) — is woven on traditional loin-loom from local cotton and silk. The district's forest communities harvest medicinal plants including Amomum subulatum (large cardamom) and various Zingiber species for herbal medicine trade. Nongstoin's fertile plateau supports potato, ginger, and turmeric cultivation for sale to Shillong markets.