Tribal Villages

There are 11 Khashia villages and several Monipuri villages in the Srimangal area, scattered among the tea plantations. Khashia villages (called punji) are usually on hilltops surrounded by betel nut trees, their cash crop. When visiting a Khashia village you should first call in on the local chief, as the community will not extend full hospitality without his permission. The Magurcherra Khashia punji is on the edge of the ruined Magurcherra gas field, 8km from Srimangal on the road to Kamalganj. The gas field caught fire in 1997 and was ablaze for three months, laying waste to betel nut plantations and tea estates in the vicinity.

There is a Monipuri village called Ramnagar very close to the Bangladesh Tea Research Institute; if you call in on the institute they will be able to give you directions. A Monipuri village is usually called a para.