Features

There are many caves in the hills of Meghalaya. Of these, the Mawsynram Cave, Mawsmai Cave, Syndai Cave and the Caves at Suji are the most important ones that attract visitors from far and near. 58 kms, from Shillong, Mawsynram closely rivals Cherrapunjee in annual rainfall. Here is a picturesque cave of vast and unexplored depth, featuring giant stalagmite, in the shape of natural ‘Sivalinga’ which is bathed the year round by water from an overflowing stalactite shaped like a woman’s breast. It is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus, and a natural wonder for sightseers. The Mawsmai or Mawmluh Syiem Cave at Mawsmai village is full of wonders to the naked eye. One has to carry tourch-light to view inside. Suji Cave is situated 152 kms from Tura town, on the banks of the river Simsang (Someshwari). Locally known as Debbakol. Syndai Cave also called Jognindra, is located in the southern part of Jaintia Hills. During the Hindu ‘Sivaratri’ festival, many people visit this Cave. The other important Caves of Meghalaya are Mawkyrdop and Dam Um Cave near Mawmluh, Cherrapunjee.

Climate:

The climate in Meghalaya is very much influenced by its topography. The sudden rise of hills in the south across the State is responsible for its heavy rainfall. The Cherrapunjee-Mawsynram belt has the record for the heaviest rainfall in the world. The temperature is low, as usual, in the hilly part of the State. At the top of Tura peak, ground-frost gathers in winter. The higher ranges of Khasi and Jaintia Hills enjoy a more salubrious Mediterranean type of climate. Broadly, in Meghalaya, the year may be divided into four seasons: Spring – March and April Summer – May to September Autumn – October to Mid-November Winter – Mid-November to Febuary.

Lakes:

There are many Lakes in garo Hills. Of these, Tasek Lake in the East Garo Hills and Kata Beel is west Garo Hills are most famous. Shillong’s wards Lake is a veritable tourist spot and is world famous. The Umiam Lake formed by Stage-I of the Umiam Hydel Project by the side of the main Guwahati-Shillong Road, and Kyrdemkulai Lake formed by Stage-III of the same project with their surrounding sylvan hills and grassy down are idyllic picnic settings and paradise for anglers. At Umiam Lake there are facilities for Water Sports.

Orchids:

The foothills of the Himalayas has been the traditional home of many exquisite varieties of Orchids. The rugged hills dense forest and lush green valleys of Meghalaya with their sprightly rain-fed streams offer a natural store house of exhilarating Orchids. About 1,000 species of beautiful Orchids are found in India out of which , more than 250 species with colours and shades as varied and rich as a rainow, are seen in the meadows, hills and dales, of Meghalaya, thus making Meghalaya a veritable ‘Land of Orchids’. Some of the exotic and ecstatic Orchids of Meghalaya are : Paphiopedilum insigne, Paphiopedilum venustum, Aerides multiflorum, Rhynchostylis retusa, Coelogyne corymbosa, Phaius tankervilliae, Dendrobium devonianum, Vanda coerulea, Cymbidium elegans etc.

Rivers:

There are no navigable rivers in Meghalaya, though small boats can ply in afew streams at the lower slopes. Particularly, all the principle rivers in the State run either in a Northerly or in a Southerly direction and joins the Brahmaputra or its Tributaries. River Simsang is the biggest river, it flows through the valley of Tura range in Garo Hills in the north-west and Chitmang in the south-west and flows in the southerly direction from the West of Williamnagar. The longest river in the Garo Hills is however, Jinjiram. In the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, Khri, Umtrew, Umiam, Kupli, Umiew, Umngot and Myntdu are the important rivers.

Sacred Grooves:

Numerous Sacred Groves, untouched by human beings, are found in Meghalaya. These groves of plantations are considered sacred by the Khasis. The Sacred Groves comprise mixed evergreen forest where Oak, Rhododendrons and species of Schima and Cinnamon are common. These groves contain a number of orchids and Epiphytes, which, sometimes, form a rich outgrowth of bushes covering the trees. At a distance, rings of indigenous Pines are found surrounding the Groves, like protective hedges.

Soil:

The Soil of Meghalaya maybe broadly grouped into hilly soil and plain alluvium. In some places, red loamy soil is also found. At other places, clayey to fairly heavy clay are noticed. The soils of Garo hills are quite heavy clay and contains about 105 of organic matter, with high nitrogen-content. The soils of upper Shillong are loamy silt and fine silt, containing high nitrogen-content but deficient in mutriate of potash.

Natural Features:

The landscape of Meghalaya with hills, dale, waterfalls and streams present all the colors of a rainbow, making it look like a lovely and wonderful fairyland. This fairyland of one’s dream is the home of beautiful Orchid, butterflies, and many other exotic and exquisite flora and fauna which enhances the fantasy of this wonderous land. Its climate varying from temperate warm to Mediterranean and commonest equatorial type adds to its magical and mysterious charm, thus making Meghalaya a unique wonderland of Nature. Physical Features: The State is divided into three hilly regions: The Garo Hills (Western Meghalaya) The Khasi Hills (Central Meghalaya) The jaintia Hills (Eastern Meghalaya) The Hills of Meghalaya are very, very old, these were formed atleast 135 million years ago during the early Tertiary period. There are some rocks with intrusive character, like the granite rocks formed near Nongpoh and Kyllang, which are perhaps 700 million years old. They are pre-Cambrian rocks, old and rare. The Khasi and Jaintia Hills are at a higher elevation than the Garo Hills. In general, the hills ranges run from west to east. Deep gorges carved by wide and fast flowing rivers cut across the hilly ranges at many places.

Vegitation:

Meghalaya is endowed with rich natural vegetation. Sub-temperate to tropical, due to diverse topography and variation in rainfall. The northern Hills facing the Brahmaputra valley have tropical vegetation. The important trees are Chaplash, Sal, Gomari, Siris and Teak. The whole of the hills are covered with mixed evergreen Sal forest, bamboo jungle and canes at some portions. In Khasi Hills, there are more than 2,000 flowering plants within a radius of ten miles from Cherrapunjee. There are 150 species of Ferns and a profusion of Mosses, Fungi and Lichens. More than 250 species of orchids, 25 species of Balsams, 20 species of Palms and 150 species of Grasses are available. Wild species of Apples and Rhododendrons abound in the higher parts of the central plateau. In the upper hill region from 1500 meters and above, in the central plateau of Khasi Hills, coniferous vegetation like Pine, Oaks and Ferns are found. This makes a distinct and interesting natural vegetation belt, the like of which cannot be found anywhere in the country in a single State.

Waterfalls:

Innumerable Waterfalls and Springs virtually make Meghalaya, “The Land of Waterfalls” . Most of the waterfalls occur in the State on the northern slope. Some of the noted Waterfalls are: Sweetfalls at the Umkhen River. Rongbang falls on the Simsang River Beadon falls, Bishop falls, Spread Eagle falls and Elephant falls in the neighbourhood of Shillong Nohsithiang, Dainthlen, Nohkalikai and Kynrem falls near Cherrapunjee Other less known Waterfalls are Kshaid Thum Thum falls, Kynshing falls Wainnai falls, Umar falls and Kyrshoh falls.

Wildlife:

The dense jungle in Meghalaya provide a neutral habit for various wildlife mammals, reptiles, birds and insects. Animals: Ramphanggiri 10 kms off Balpakram in the East Garo Hills District is the center of wild Elephant population. Other wild animals found in Meghalaya are:Tigers, Bisons, Hoolock Gibons, Boars, Barking Deer, Sambars, Leopards, Slow Loris, apes, Monkeys etc. Clouded Leopards, Binturong or Bear Cat and the Golden Cat are some of the most interesting rare species of animals found in Meghalaya.

Reptiles & Fishes:

Amongst Reptiles, many kinds of Snakes, poisonous and non-poisonous and Lizards are found in Meghalaya. Of the poisonous Snakes, King Cobra, Coral Snake and Vipers are seen. Non-poisonous Snakes consist of mainly Pythons, Blink Snakes, and Copperheads. There are many amphibians and fish species in the rivers and lakes of Meghalaya. The fish species exhibit hill-stream adaptation. Cold-stream fished are particularly delicious. Birds: Meghalaya has various species of Birds. Smaller Brids like flycatcher, Thrust, Treepie, Magpie, Minivet, Greytit, and Becked-tit, Hoopoe and Woodpeckers thrive in the higher altitude. In the lower altitude, and in the deeper forest, Hornbills, Partridges, Woodcocks, Floricans, Owls, Mainas, Whistling Thrust are common. Butterflies: In India, about 1400 varities of butterflies are found. Out of these, about 500 species of these ‘winged delights’ are seen in Meghalaya. In fact, Meghalaya is also called “Land of Butterflies”. Some very rare species of butterflies are found in Meghalaya. Diverse climatic conditions coupled with a rich and luxuriant vegetation makes a perfect breeding ground of exquisite butterflies in Meghalaya. Kaise-E-Hind, Black & Yellow Birdwing, Leafs-Butterfly, Lacewing Butterfly, The Rajah, the Swallowtails, the white and the blue species of butterflies are some of the ecstatic butterflies of Meghalaya that create flutter in the minds of nature lovers all over the world.

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