Impact of Traditional Iron Industry in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills

Abstract

The traditional iron industry in the Khasi-Jaintia hills dates back to a very early period. It remains undisturbed till it was replaced by the factory-made British iron. The traditional iron industry evoked keen interest among scholars since the colonial period. There are a number of interesting accounts by the colonial writers which give us a peek into the status of this important occupation and the impact it had on the economy. The paper is an attempt to explore the impact that this industry had on the forest resources and vegetation of the region resulting in a very incipient form of environmental awareness among the people of the area.