Flora and Fauna of Meghalaya

The hills of Meghalaya is a treasure house of exotic and endemic flora. Nature in its bountiful has bestowed to it rare species of plants that have immense importance. With a unique gamut of vegetation, Meghalaya is abundantly replenished with tropical and subtropical to temperate and near temperate flora. The diverse topography of the land, the climatic conditions and the varied and abundant rainfall in the region are the causes for flora and fauna of Meghalaya.

The geographical position of Meghalaya has always favored immigration from China, Burma and Tibet as well as other North Eastern states. Many plant species have found its way to the mainland of Meghalaya. Other geographical reasons such as connection of landmasses with Pacific islands, Madagaskar and other portions of Africa have influenced the flora and fauna of Madagaskar.

Pitcher Plant, a Botanical wonder

Meghalaya's indigenous Pitcher Plant is of great interest among the botanists. It occurs in the Jaintia Hills in the Jarain area and the Baghmara area of the Garo Hills. The Khasis call it ‘Tiew-Rakot’ meaning the devouring flower. The leaf of the pitcher plant modifies into different organs of the plant. The lamina, tendril, the pitcher and the lid are the modified parts of the leaf. The lid of the plant seals the mouth of the pitcher. On maturity the lid opens and ones the insects are trapped the lid seals.

The Land of Orchids

The Land of Orchids, Meghalaya, is a storehouse of colorful orchids. As many as 325 varied species, orchids grow in the Garo, Khasi and the Jaintia hills. In the hill slopes, meadows and swamps, treetops, mossy rocks and ground too one can spot orchids bloom.

Plants of Economic Importance

While touring Meghalaya you will come across a treasure house of tress such as timber, fuel wood, resin, fodder, fiber, shellac, tannin, latex, edible fruits, essential oils and many medicinal plants. Bay leaves and cinnamon are the spices that are predominant in Meghalaya. Other important trees that play a vital role in the economy of the state are Morus alba, Quercus semiserrata. These plants rear silkworms for sericulture. Khasi Pine, Sal, Teak, Bamboos are the trees that yield valuable timber for the state. Lac and Gum trees are also found abundantly in Meghalayan forests. Famous for honey, the dense forests of Meghalaya has thriving beehives collected in boxes. Some of the major crops of the region are paddy, Millets, Maize, Pulses, Potato, Ginger, Turmeric, Black pepper, Jute and Mesta, Sugar cane and oil seeds. Other important cash crops of the state are betelvine and canut. Citrus fruits, vegetables are extensively grown in the plains. Tea and Coffee plantation has also been taken up with enthusiasm.

Seasonal Flowers

Seasonal flowers such as Gladiolus, Dahlia, Begonia, Canna, Aster, Tropaeolum, Antirrhinum, Polargonium, Crinum, Celosia, Kniphofia, Impatiens, Chrysanthemum, Petunias, Pansy, Calendula, Sweet peas and Salvia grace the homes of many Khasis and Garos. Climbers like Bougainvillea, Rosa, Jasminum are also quite common. Cymbidium, Dendrobium and Phaius are also grown in the hills of Meghalaya.

Medicinal Plants

Many medicinal plants are found in the dense growth of Meghalaya. Some of them are Croton Oil, Eucalyptus, Castor Oil, Paederia foetida, Salix alba, Anacardium occidentale, Cinnamomum, Taxus baccata.

The Fauna

Zoologists find Meghalaya, a treasure house of interesting and rare animals. About 50% of the entire population of animals found in the Indian subcontinent is in Meghalaya and in other North-East States.

The Animal Kingdom

Apes as well as monkeys and lemurs are found in the Meghalaya jungles. Hoolock, Gibbon, macaques and langurs, Rhesus Macaque and Assamese Macaque are common in the forests of Meghalaya. The Golden Langur that is nearly an extinct species is found in Meghalaya. Slow Loris a type of lemur is found in Meghalaya.

You will find an amazing breed of tigers and jungle cats in the Meghalaya jungles. Tiger, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Golden Cat, Leopard Cat and Jungle Cat. Civets, Toddy Cat, the Binturong or Bear Cat, Mongooses, the Scavenger Mammals are found here. Wolves, Jackals, Foxes and Dogs are also found in Meghalaya.

Sloth Bear and The Himalayan Black Bear are the two species of bear found in Meghalaya. Weasels, Otters, Martens and Badgers are also found in Meghalaya. Both vegetarian and carnivorous bats are found here too. Rodents found in Meghalaya are Flying Squirrel, Malayan Giant Squirrel, Himalayan Squirrel, Indian Porcupine, Bulky Body, Subtle Mind.

The Garo and the Jaintia hills are abundant with elephants. Wild Buffalo the most common being the Serow is also found here. Sambar and Barking Deer are the two varieties of deer are found here. Wild Boars, the Pangolins or scaly anteaters are also common here.

Birds

Traverse through the lower altitudes of Meghalaya and you will be confronted with multifarious species of birds, Magpie-Robin being the favorite bird to be seen in Meghalaya. Other common birds are - Blue-throated Barbet, Hoopoe, Himalayan Black Bulbul, Long tailed Broadbill, Scarlet Minivet, Burmese Roller, Red-vented Bulbul, Himalayan Whistling Thrush, Spotted Forktail, Black-breasted Kalij Pheasant, Red Jungle Fowl, Mynas like Jungle Mynas, Hill, Mynas. Hornbills including the Great Indian hornbill, florican, owl, black drongo and many other birds are also found.

The Reptiles

The dense forests of Meghalaya have reptiles too. Poisonous snakes like Indian cobra, King cobra, Coral snake and Vipers are found here as well as Pythons, Blind snakes, Copper heads, Green tree racers, and Red necked Kulbacks.

The Butterflies

Out of the 1000 species of butterflies found in India there are about 250 species found in the hilly regions of Meghlaya. Some of the best varieties of butterflies are Blue Peacock, the Kaiser-E-Hind, Leafs-Butterfly, the Dipper, the Bhutan Glory, the Yellow Orange Tip, Vagrant, the Common Blue Bottle and the Red-Breast Jazebel.

This beautiful land of abundant natural beauty has immense tourist attraction. Log on to northeastindia.com to know about the Flora and Fauna of Meghalaya.