Jaintia Hills is the westernmost Division of the State of Meghalaya, with headquarters at Jowai. It is one of the six administrative divisions in the North-Eastern Hill state of India. Bangladesh bounds the region on the West and northwest, West Khasi Hills District on the southwest, Ri Bhoi District on the southeast and East Khasi Hills District on the northeast.
Jaintia Hills Division was carved out from a part of Shillong in September 1976 as a separate Division with its Headquarters at Jowai. Before this, it formed a subdivision under the West Khasi Hills district. Before independence, most parts of this area were ruled by the Jaintia Kings.
The present Division comprises two districts, namely West Jaintia Hills District and East Jaintia Hills District. It has three Block Hqs., viz., Jowai, Umroi and Nongstoin. The total geographical area of this Division is 2247 km² with a population of 695,971 (2011 census). There are 1738 villages in this Division.
Jowai is served by an all-weather metalled road that connects the area to the rest of North-Eastern India.
The Divisional Headquarters is around 295 Km West of Guwahati, the state capital and about 40 K.M. East of Shillong, the State Cultural Capital. It occupies an important position on the routes followed by all road traffic from Assam leading towards the west coast. Jowai town, which lies at an altitude of 1118 ft. above sea level, enjoys a salubrious climate throughout the year.
All villages have had electricity since 1977. The lower parts of the District are covered by all major service providers’ mobile phone networks, while BSNL started its services in the area since January 2009.
Both local cable T.V. operators and DTH service providers have their presence in almost every village. All village roads are blacktopped, while most of the main roads/highways connecting Shillong with Ranikor and Nongstoin are blacktopped and motorable throughout the year except for heavy rains.
The town of Nongstoin has its own Community Health Centre staffed by Medical Officer, Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) & para-medical staff; while Jowai is provided with a Govt. General Hospital with 100 beds and attached OPD services.
Apart from statutory medical facilities provided by the government, there is also a Govt. Homoeopathic Dispensary & Govt. Ayurveda dispensary is located at Nongstoin, whereas Jowai has private homoeopathy and private ayurvedic dispensaries with all basic amenities to provide medical facilities to the people of this District.