Life and Culture in Northeast India

The eight states of India’s North Eastern Region make up only 8 percent of the country’s land mass, but they are home to over one hundred tribes, each with its own unique culture. The terrain, predominantly hilly, ranges from snow-capped Himalayan peaks to tropical rainforests, and the national parks and preserves contain exceptional scenery and an abundance of wildlife, from red pandas to snow leopards. Now, for the first time, noted documentary filmmakers and photographers Dipti Bhalla Verma and Shiv Kunal Verma provide a comprehensive introduction to this little-known yet captivating part of the world.  This book provides an extensive look into the histories, cultures, and landscapes that distinguish northeast India. The authors conduct us from the towering Kanchenjunga massif in Sikkim to the tea plantations of Assam, to the astonishing biodiversity of Arunachal Pradesh, to the martial tribes and Baptist churches of Nagaland, to the birthplace of polo in Manipur, to the living root bridges of Meghalaya, to the farms nestled among the hills of Tripura and Mizoram. The authors take us into the lives of the many peoples of northeast India, who maintain their traditional customs and beliefs even in the face of growing ecological threats. Special sections in the book highlight the places that protect the exceptional flora and fauna of this region, including the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Khangchendzonga National Park, and Kaziranga National Park.  Featuring more than three hundred color photographs and twelve detailed maps, Life and Culture in Northeast India will be an essential volume for anyone interested in the peoples and places of Planet Earth.