BIODIVERSITY OF CHERRAPUNJI
Cherrapunji is a pristine beauty in the vast North East India region of Meghalaya. Cherrapunji once considered the wettest region in the country, still has the highest recorded rainfall in a calendar year. The misty mountains, enthralling waterfalls, and, of course, the cool, unique climate make it a must-see destination in Meghalaya. It is the lush green beauty that you see while passing by the hilly roads, the gentle breeze that plays with your hair, Cherrapunji is all about that, the little things that draw us into its mesmerizing miracle. Cherrapunji and its surroundings, with their amazing terrain, mesmerizing clouds, and scores of frothing waterfalls leaping from lofty mountains down precipitous gorges thickly covered in tropical rain forests and lush green grasslands, have enthralled many a nature enthusiasts of all ages over the centuries. When the surrounding plains simmered in the summer heat, the climate in these hills was pleasant. Shillong and Cherrapunji provided welcome relief from the oppressive heat of the surrounding plains, offering refreshing cool climes, scenic beauty, and frothing waterfalls for a relaxing summer vacation. The area is rich in forests, natural caves, and diverse flora and fauna.
The northeast Indian state of Meghalaya is part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. An estimate of total plant diversity in this hotspot reveals approximately 13,500 vascular plant species, with approximately 7,000 (52%) being endemic. In India, 3128 flow ring plants, including endemic, rare, and primitive taxa, have been reported from the state of Meghalaya, out of an estimated 17,000 plant species. A variety of factors, including topography, altitude variation, and climatic conditions, have contributed to the state's rich diversity. The state's topography is varied, ranging from plains to hills with deep gorges.
Bloodflower, Common lantana, Orange daylily, Castor bean, Cabbage, New Guinea Impatiens, Pot marigold, golden yellow-flowered dendrobium, wild mussaenda, Malabar melastome, and other plants can be found in Cherrapunji. There are a total of 40 fruit plants, 20 plant species, 7 toxic plants, and 12 types of weeds, one is likely to come across in the forests of Cherrapunji. It is home to over 600 species of birds, the local birds are very shy and difficult to spot because they hide behind foliage in fear of Khasi slingshots and bird traps known as riam sim. Bird watchers have an easier time spotting migratory birds from the north, all the way from Serbia and Mongolia, during the winter months. Many migratory and rare birds can be seen during these months, including the Dark Rumped Swift, Green Cochoa, Crested Finchbill, Blue-winged Laughing Thrush, Tawny Breasted Wren Babbler, Great Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet, and Long-tailed Broadbill.
In the Cherrapunji area, 137 rare, endemic, or threatened species from 95 genera and 47 families are discovered. Of these, 20 species from 20 genera and 18 families are classified as threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. There is one critically endangered species, seven endangered species, and ten vulnerable species. Out of the 137 species, 115 are endemic to the region, divided into 76 genera and 37 families, with 34 being exclusively endemic to the state. Four of the twenty threatened species are endemic to the state, and seven are near-endemic. The distribution of rare, endemic, and threatened plant species in Cherrapunji has about 46 species of epiphytes are the dominant life form, followed by 38 species of trees, 32 species of herbs, 12 species of shrubs, and 8 species of climbers. Only two parasite species, Balanophora dioca, and Mitrastemon yamamotoi, and one saprophyte, Monotropa uniflor, were found.
Unfortunately, the majority of the area in and around Cherrapunji has been deforested as a result of various human activities such as shifting cultivation, overexploitation of forest resources, forest fire, and mineral resource mining. Approximately 95% of the Cherrapunji plateau has been deforested. The forests are now mostly restricted to deep gorges and inaccessible areas, as well as Community managed forests (sacred groves, village reserve forest,s and restricted forests). Furthermore, mining activities have endangered the area's biodiversity and rendered adjacent land unproductive. This has also resulted in the removal of the primary soil cover and the development of a new resistant system, allowing for an accelerated runoff with no discernible erosional changes. In addition to timber extraction, fuel wood collection poses a serious threat to the area's biodiversity. Because fuel wood is the primary source of energy for the local people, species extraction for fuel wood and timber has resulted in forest thinning and patch fragmentation into grasslands. Because of the removal of tree species, many epiphytes have become rare in the area. Many orchids and Rhododendron formosum (collected for commercial purposes), Panax wanganias (used as medicine), and Livistona jenkinsiana (used for roofing materials) have become rare in the area due to over-exploitation. Extraction of tree species has altered the habitat of epiphytes, climbers, and herbaceous species, as well as some rare species like Monotropa uniflor, Balanophora balanophora, Hedera helix, and others.
Despite all the downfalls that the biodiversity of Cherrapunji has been facing, the place still resides in the hearts of all the people that have visited. The beauty of this oasis of the state of Meghalaya is enough for you to take a mental picture of it and cherish it forever.
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