Journeying eastward from the massif of Kanchenjunga, which dominates the Indo-Nepal border, the authors take us through Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh before moving southwards along the Naga Patkai Range to the hill states of Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram, coming to a halt in Tripura. The Northeast is home to many indigenous tribes—diverse peoples with distinct cultures—whose long and complex histories of migration, settlement, and eventual accession to independent India are traced here. Detailed glimpses into the lives and beliefs of these communities also lay bare the grave ecological threats facing this fragile region, with the rapid depletion of natural resources. Providing ballast to this comprehensive inquiry are stunning visuals of the Himalayan Range and the many diverse ecospheres of the Northeast, including the Khangchendzonga, Manas and Kaziranga National Parks, all UNESCO World Heritage Sites.