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A Treasure Trove Of Nature
Meghalaya
is a treasure trove of Nature, with its richly varied and dense endemic,
exotic and cultivated flora. Nature, in its generous abundance, had
bestowed on Meghalaya a unique array of vegetation, ranging from tropical
and sub-tropical to temperate or near temperate. This is due to the
diverse topography, varied and abundant rainfall and differential 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.
Geological factors, like the connection of Meghalaya with the landmasses
of Peninsular India, the Pacific Islands, Madagaskar and some other
portions of Africa might also have influenced Meghalaya's flora and fauna
to some extent.
Agro-Climatic Zones
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 following four classes of Agro-climatic
zones are found:
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The Plant World
The genetic constitutions of different plants or life forms can be
classified as below:
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A Botanical Wonder
Meghalaya's endemic Pitcher Plant or Nepenthes Khasiana HK remains till
now an explicable phenomenon to the botanists. It occurs in the Jarain
area of the Jaintia Hills and the Baghmara area of the Garo Hills.
Found in the Khasi hills, this plant is popularly called by the Khasi
people as "Tiew-Rakot", which means demon-flower or
devouring-plant. The Jaintias call it "Kset Phare", 'Kset' means
net with a lid and 'Phare' means fly. The Garos call the plant "Memang-Koksi",
which literally means the basket of the devil.
The most interesting part of the Pitcher Plant is its leaf. The leaf is
modified into different organs, such as the lamina, the tendril, the
pitcher and the lid. Over the pitcher, a lid is formed. It is an outgrowth
on the face of the leaf near its apex. The lid grows and then become
sealed over the mouth of the pitcher. When the plant attains maturity, the
lid opens up. The pitcher is designed to catch insects.
The
World Of Orchids
Meghalaya is a storehouse of richly varied and colorful orchids with as
many as 300 species, which grow all over the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills
in the meadows, hill-slopes and swamps, even on the wayside. Orchids are
found in Meghalaya growing at different heights, mostly on trees, on mossy
rocks and also on the ground. Meghalaya is rightly called a "Land of
Orchids".
Décor Plants
The forests of Meghalaya are treasure house of valuable products such a
timber, fuel wood, 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 a vital role
in the economy of the State, being the host plants for rearing of silk
worms for sericulture.
Meghalayans in general are fond of decorating their courtyards with
seasonal flowers and one 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 also
quite common. Multiplicity of orchids like Phaius, Dendrobium and
Cymbidium Spp. are also cultivated.
Spinning Plants
The forests of Meghalaya are a rich source of Timber. The state as such
is surplus in timber production and the bulk of timber for trade
originates from private forests. Timber trade forms 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, and
Bamboos. In Meghalaya forests the rubber-yielding plant of Ficus Elastica
Roxb, belonging to the family of Moraceae is common. Lac and Gum are
obtained from forests in Meghalaya.
Honey
Meghalayan forests offer tremendous scope for sericulture or silkworm
rearing industry.
Also famous for its honey, the Meghalayan honey is derived mostly from
forests in beehives. Nowadays, the honey collection process is done in
artificial boxes also, instead of hives on trees.
Crop Plants
The major crop plants of Meghalaya are Paddy, Maize, Millets, Pulses,
Potato, Jute and Mesta, Ginger, Turmeric, Black Pepper, Sugar Cane, Oil
Seeds. Both are Canut and Betelvine are important cash crops of the State.
Khasis are used to chew betel nuts and betel leaves since time immemorial.
The State is basically a home of many horticultural plants such as fruit
bearing trees, cultivated fruit bearing plants, citrus varieties of
fruits.
Vegetables are grown extensively in the central plateau of the Khasi
Hills with loamy soil and also in the plains of the Garo Hills. Recently
Tea and Coffee are being grown in lands abandoned after jhuming.
Plants That Cure And Heal
Different parts of many plants growing in Meghalaya have been put to
medicinal use.
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.