MEGHALAYA:

Meghalaya is located in the northeastern part of India. It is bounded on the north and eastern part by
the state of Assam and in the South and West by International border with Bangladesh. The state of
Meghalaya was formed in 1972 with Shillong as its capital. Before that Shillong was the capital of the
undivided state of Assam. Located at an altitude of 1496m, it is one of the most famous hill stations
in India. Shillong Peak (1965m) is the highest point of the state, a popular picnic spot, and is also
worshipped by the local people. Ward's Lake and the nearby Botanical Garden are located within the
city of Shillong. At Umiam Water Sports Complex near Shillong many water sports like paddle boats,
water scooters and speedboats are available. On the outskirts of the city, there are many water falls like
Elephant Falls, Spread Eagle Falls and Sweet Falls.

Cherrapunjee and Mawsynram in the Khasi region get the maximum rainfall in the world. Here rain
records can be expressed in meters: average rainfall 12m in a year; maximum rainfall in a day 1.04 m.
They are also famous for many caves with stalagmite and stalactite formation. Nongkhnum Island is
the second biggest riverine island in Asia.

1. Cherrapunjee

Cherrapunjee is essentially a sub-divisional town situated in the East Khasi Hills District of the
state of Meghalaya. This town is the traditional capital of the Hima state, known as Churra or Sohra.
Cherrapunjee refers to the land of oranges and is considered to be the second wettest region in the
world. Even though the town features excessive rains, yet the local inhabitants face acute water
shortage along with unsuitable conditions for irrigation due to washing away of the topsoil. Khasis are
the local inhabitants, who have been living in the region since the 16th century. These inhabitants used
to live in the Khasi Hills and were ruled by the Syiems of Khyrtim between the 16th and 18th century. 

In 1883, this region came under the rule of the British, due to the submission of the main
Syiems, Tirot Singh. Cherrapunjee has an average elevation of around 1484 metres and faces the
plains of Bangladesh. Cherrapunjee is about 600 metres above the surrounding valleys and has poor
soil due to deforestation. Moreover, it is located approximately 4500 feet above the main sea level.
Cherrapunjee holds two Guinness World Records; one for having the maximum amount of rainfall in a
single year between August 1860 and July 1861. The second record is for the maximum amount of
rainfall in a single month, in July 1861. This region experiences an annual average rainfall of around
11,430 metres. Further, it is the only place in India which experiences monsoon all year round. 

The rainfall in the region varies from heavy to medium to light, with majority of rainfall
occurring during the night. Between May to September, Cherrapunjee experiences heavy downpour,
with clouds and rain descending earthwards. After September, the pattern of rainfall becomes gentle
with soft pastel shades in the sky. 
 Cherrapunjee is famous for its living bridges, where the Khasis grow roots of trees. This
process generally takes around 10 to 15 years, with the bridges lasting more than 100 years. Tourists
can ideally visit Cherrapunjee between September and October, when the rainfall varies from medium
to light, with clear skies during the day time. 

Best time to visit Cherrapunjee is the months of September to April

2. Don Bosco Center for Indigenous Cultures

This is a passionate portrayal of the ethnic peoples of the northeast, their origins and their
neighbours. Seven floors of mind blowing attention to detail to a scientific degree. Language origins,
lifestyles and religions are all given truly wonderful presentation. Each display area is themed with
simple-to understand narratives. Introductory and Historic Gallery, Alcoves Gallery and Culture
Gallery are just excellent. From the Weapon Gallery, Costume and Ornamental Gallery, Art & Media
Gallery, Religion - Cultural Gallery you will surely get some new information. The musical instrument
collections over at Musical Instruments Gallery are lovely. 
You can experience the Skywalk on the rooftop of the museum. Safe and Secured for children.

Best time to visit is throughout the year.

Skywalk Traditional Gallery

3. Mawlynnong Village

Mawlynnong Village located in East Khasi Hills District has earned the distinction of being
the cleanest village in India. It is situated 90 kms. from Shillong and besides the picturesque village,
offers many interesting sights such as the living root bridge and another strange natural phenomenon
of a boulder balancing on another rock.
 Mawlynnong nestled in the pristine hill state of Meghalaya, is along the Indo-Bangla border.
This cute and colourful little village is known for its cleanliness. The main occupation of the villagers
is agriculture. They mostly grow betel nut. About 82 households live in Mawlynnong. Keeping the
surrounding environment clean is an age old tradition. Discover India magazine declared the village as
the cleanest in Asia in 2003. 
A dustbin made out of bamboo is found all along the village. Everyone makes it a point that dirt and
waste are not thrown everywhere. All the waste from the dustbin is collected and kept in a pit, which
the villagers use as manure. The villagers are now on a mission to ban plastic. The village with cent
per cent literacy is conscious and they are spreading the message of conservation and protection of the
forest. Locals plant trees to ensure that the virgin forest is kept intact and also replenished. 

Mawlynnong's fame is now drawing an endless stream of guests from across the country and
abroad. Although residential facilities are still scarce and are in the process of being developed, the
existing one constructed from bamboo and thatch is quite hospitable and restful. Mawlynnong is an
artist's delight and the sort of getaway that would titillate creative writers and poets.

Best time to visit is October to April.

Mawlynnong Village

Flora Fauna of Meghalaya

The Weather Conditions of Meghalaya varies with the altitude.

The climate of Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hillsis uniquely pleasant and
caressing. It is neither too warm in summer nor too cold in winter, but
over the plains of Garo Hills, the climate is hot and humid, except in
winter. The Meghalaya sky is always covered by clouds, truly giving it
the name of Meghalaya (Megh - clouds; Alaya - abode of). The
average annual rainfall here is about 1,150 cm. 
The Flora
Meghalaya is full of treasure trove of Nature, with its rich variation of dense endemic and cultivated
flora. Nature, in its plenteous abundance, had blessed Meghalaya with a unique array of plantation,
ranging from tropical and sub-tropical to temperate or near temperate. This is due to the diverse
physiology, varied and plentiful of rainfall and distinctive climatic and edaphic conditions of the state,
within small regions. Biotic factors have also played an important role, at places decisive.
Geographical position of Meghalaya has it appears favoured immigration and introduction of different
plant species from the neighbouring states of the North Eastern India and also countries like China,
Tibet and Burma.

The Plant Kingdom

Depending on the varied scales of rainfall at different parts of the year and at different altitudes and
places, both tropical and temperate vegetation occur in Meghalaya. The plant kingdom in Meghalaya
constitutes of Parasites and Epiphytes, Succulent Plants, Trees and Shrubs known as Phanerophytes.

The Endemic Plant

In Meghalaya, all the above classes of plant life are found to occur naturally, constituting its rich and
varied natural vegetation. The vegetation consists of endemic Pitcher Plant or Nepenthes khasiana Hk.
Meghalaya is a storehouse of richly varied and colorful orchids with as many as 325 species. It is
rightly called a Land of Orchids.

Essential Plants
The forests of Meghalaya are treasured with valuable products such a timber, fuelwood, fodder, resin,
tannin, gums, shellac, fibre, latex, essential oils, fats, edible fruits, honey and a large number of
medicinal plants. Meghalaya is well known for bay leaves and cinnamon. Morus alba, Quercus
semiserrata and a number of other tree species play an important role in the economy of the State,
being the host plants for rearing of silk worms for sericulture.
Seasonal Plants
You can find various seasonal flowers and you will also comes across Dahlia, Canna, Gladiolus,
Begonia, Tropaeolum, Aster, Polargonium, Antirrhinum, Crinum, Celosia, Kniphofia, Impatiens,
Chrysanthemum, Petunias, Pansy, Calendula, Sweet peas and Salvia. Meany climbers like
Bougainvillea, Rosa, Jasminum, etc are quite common. Multiplicity of orchids like Phaius,
Dendrobium and Cymbidium spp. are also cultivated here.

Commercially Essential Plants 

The forests of Meghalaya are a rich source of timber. Timber trade is an integral and vital element in
the economy of Meghalaya. Some of the important tree species, which yield valuable timber for trade
are Khasi Pine, Sal, Teak, Bamboos, the rubber-yielding plant of Ficus elastica Roxb., Lac and Gum.
Recently Tea and Coffee are also being grown in lands abandoned after jhuming.

Medicinal Plants
Among the important and recognised medicinal plants found and cultivated in Meghalaya are Ipecac,
Rauvolfia serpentina, Cinchona, Abromine, Chaulmoogra Oil, Croton Oil, Eucalyptus, Castor Oil,
Chiretta, Solanum khasianum, Casearia vareca, Zanthoxylum armatum, Hedyotis scandens, Paederia
foetida, Salix alba, Anacardium occidentale, Cinnamomum, Taxus
baccata.

The Fauna- The Great Wildlife of Meghalaya

Meghalaya is also a happy hunting ground to the zoologists for its
interesting, rare and diverse fauna wealth. It is said that about 50% of
the entire wildlife population of mammal are found in the entire Indian sub-continent can be seen in
Meghalaya Wild life national parks and other sanctuaries in the North-East. Out of the above, nine
genera of wildlife of mammals, such as Tupaia, Rhizomys, Cannomys, Chiropodomys, Micromys etc.
are only found in Meghalaya Jungle and its adjoining areas.

The Animal Kingdom of Wildlife 

The species found in Meghalaya national parks are - Hoolock - the only tailless ape in India, Golden
Cat, Leopard Cat, Jungle Cat, Large Indian Civet, Binturong or Bear Cat, Himalayan Black Bear,
Barking Deer, Pangolin. 

Take a wildlife safari tours to explore Some species of various families of mammals namely Primates,
the Cats, Civets, Mongooses, Dogs, Bear, Weasels, Bats, Rodents, Elephants, Gaur, Wild Buffalo,
Serow, Deer, Pigs and Pangolins residing in the forests of Meghalaya. In Meghalaya wild population
also includes Hoolock Gibbon, macaques and langurs, Rhesus Macaque and Assamese Macaque. The
Golden Langur is a very rare species of Meghalaya and is on the verge of extinction. Among lemurs,
the Slow Loris is found in Meghalaya.

On your wild life safari tour you will also come across some of the rare endangered wildlife species
like Tiger, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Golden Cat, Leopard Cat and Jungle Cat. Civets, Toddy Cat,
the Binturong or Bear Cat, Mongooses, the Scavenger Mammals are also found here. The Dog Family
comprises Wolves, Jackals, Foxes and Dogs, all of which are found in Meghalaya. 
In Meghalaya, usually two species of bears are found - Sloth Bear and The Himalayan Black Bear. The
Weasel Family in Meghalaya comprises Weasels, Otters, Martens and Badgers. The Common Otter,
Yellow Throated Marten and the Hog-Badger are commonly found. In Meghalaya, both vegetarian and
carnivorous bats are found. In Meghalaya, the most interesting rodents are - Flying Squirrel, Malayan
Giant Squirrel, Himalayan Squirrel, Indian Porcupine, Bulky Body, Subtle Mind. 

There are about 2,000 elephants in the Garo Hills and 500 in the jungles of the Jaintia Hills. The Wild
Buffalo is also found in Meghalaya. The Serow is common in Meghalaya. In Meghalaya, usually two
varieties of deer are found - Sambar and Barking Deer. Wild Boars and the Pangolins or scaly ant-
eaters are also common here.

The Bird Kingdom

Meghalaya national parks and sanctuaries, specially in lower altitudes,
multifarious species of birds are found in abundance. Magpie-Robin is
a favourite bird to be seen in Meghalaya. Some of the common bird
watching trips includes sighting of - Hoopoe, Long tailed Broadbill,
Scarlet Minivet, Burmese Roller, Blue-throated Barbet, Red-vented
Bulbul, Himalayan Black Bulbul, Himalayan Whistling Thrush, Spotted Forktail, Black-breasted Kalij
Pheasant, Red Jungle Fowl, Mynas like Jungle Mynas, Hill, Mynas etc., Besides, hornbills including
the Great Indian hornbill, florican, owl, black drongo and many other birds are also found.

The Reptiles
In Meghalaya four types of reptiles are found - Lizards, Crocodiles, Tortoises and Snakes. Among the
non-poisonous snakes found in Meghalaya, the following may be mentioned: Python, Blind snakes,
Copper head, Green tree racer, Red necked Kulback. The poisonous snakes in Meghalaya include:
Indian cobra, King cobra, Coral snake and Vipers. 

The Butterflies
About 250 species of butterflies are found in Meghalaya, out of about 1,000 species seen in India.
Some of the exquisite varieties of butterflies of Meghalaya which are admired all over the world are
-Blue Peacock, the Kaiser-E-Hind, Leafs-Butterfly, the Dipper, the Bhutan Glory, the Yellow Orange
Tip, Vagrant, the Common Blue Bottle, the Red-Breast Jazebel