By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Meghalaya has seen a decadal change of 28.3 per cent in terms of the Scheduled Tribe Population in 2011 as compared to the 2001 census.
As per the primary Census data 2011 which was released by Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma on Friday, Ri-Bhoi recorded the highest decadal change in the Scheduled Tribe population with 37.1 per cent, while West Garo Hills recorded the lowest decadal change with 22.6 per cent.
The decadal change of the Scheduled Tribe (ST) population in other districts of the State were 25.2 per cent in East Garo Hills, 27.5 per cent in South Garo Hills, 29.3 per cent in West Khasi Hills, 29.1 per cent in East Khasi Hills and 31.0 per cent in Jaintia Hills.
As per the primary Census data 2011, the total population of Scheduled Tribes in Meghalaya is 25,55,861 with 12,69,728 males and 12,86,133 females.
The district wise ST population is: West Garo Hills (4,74,009), East Garo Hills (3,05,180), South Garo Hills (1,34,237), West Khasi Hills (3,75,097), Ri-Bhoi (2,30,081) East Khasi Hills (6,61,158) and Jaintia Hills (3,76,099).
Meanwhile, the Scheduled Caste (SC) population in the State has also slightly increased in the 2011 census as compared to the 2001 census.
As per the primary census data, the percentage of SC population in relation with that of the total population of the State is highest in East Khasi Hills with 0.7 per cent.
The percentage of SC population out of the total population in other districts are: West Garo Hills (0.4 pc), East Garo Hills (0.2 pc), South Garo Hills (0.2 pc), Ri-Bhoi (0.2 pc), Jaintia Hills (0.1 pc) and West Khasi Hills (0.0 pc).
The total population of Scheduled Caste in the State is 17,355 with 9157 males and 8198 females.
The population of SC in various districts of the State is: West Garo Hills (8810), East Garo Hills (509), South Garo Hills (319), West Khasi Hills (168), Ri-Bhoi (590), East Khasi Hills (5,642) and Jaintia Hills (1317).