BIATERAM (BIATELAND)

Territory:
From 1972 the Assam and Meghalaya Inter-State Boundary line between Dima Hasao and East Jaintia Hills runs from Kopili river near Umrangso town to the origin/starting point of Digisim and Artan rivers. This boundary line stretches around 70 kilometers and the area on both sides are inhabited by the Biate people. This area is fairly wide though sparsely populated. Together, both the Assam and Meghalaya sectors cover approximately 200 square kilometres each (Pakem, B. “The Biates”, in The Tribes of North East India. 1998. Edited by Sebastian Karotemprel, Shillong: Centre for Indigenous Cultures, p. 270). The land of the Biates or Biateram is still a terra incognito and has not become a recognised geographical concept either. It refers only to the area inhabited by the Biate tribe of Assam and Meghalaya, lying approximately between 25’5’ and 25’30’ North Latitude and between 92’28’ and 93’ East Longitude. It covers roughly between Denloi river in the East and Lunar river in the West, and between Diyung and Dihangi rivers in the North and Cachar and Bangladesh in the South. Apart from stray references in books and articles in subjects on Northeast India as well as in the proceedings of the Assam and Meghalaya Legislative Assemblies, there is very few accounts on the territory and people of Biateram. To many the title “Biateram” conveys but a little meaning and it arouses still less interests (Pakem, p. 269). But as the land inhabited by the Biates in Assam and Meghalaya are together in one compact area, the Biates used to refer to this compact land as Biateram. It may not have the strict geographical and political boundary, but to the Biates, Biateram is a very real assertion.

Flora and Fauna:
Biateram has a large forest. Most of the Biate villagers depend on forest products. The main forest products are several types of timbers and trees, cane, mushroom etc., and are the main sources of income for the people. Forest trees in the hilly areas are gradually decreasing due to shifting or slash – and – burn type of Jhum cultivation. Apart from this practice, trees are also used for constructing houses. Many tons of logs have been taken by nearby Mills in the recent past. Some mountains have been used for the purpose of rearing cattle from since long. Afforestation is also implemented by means of plantation in the pasture areas by the Government Forest Department as well as by the village authorities an Church organizations. The vegetation and climate of Biateram offers an ideal habitation to many wild animals. Many kinds of birds and animals are found in this area. The birds generally found in the jungle are eagles, vultures, different kinds of hornbills and jungle fowls, owls, crows and different kinds of small birds. The wild animals found in the forest are elephants, tigers, bears, wild buffaloes, barking deers, leopards, wild hogs, wolfs, big deers, wild cats, jackals, wild boars and different kinds of monkeys. Several kinds of snakes are also seen in this area.

Economy:
The Biates are very much connected with the forest. The forest is their means of livelihood. Their land is rich in flora and fauna and in bio-diversity. But, Biateram is backward, neglected and deprived from the larger community in the two Autonomous Councils in Assam and Meghalaya. Biateram is an underprivileged and a poverty stricken region. The people are totally dependent on agricultural works to earn their livelihood. Irrigation facilities are far from adequate  and the concerned area is totally dependent on monsoon rain for agricultural works.