Page 28 - Seniors Today
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Travel
Meghalaya -
The abode of the clouds
A trip to the North East Indian states can be on the bucket list for many of us
and the best thing is that there are many organised trips especially for senior
citizens, writes Malti Gaekwad
Meghalaya is one of the Seven Sisters States The Eco region covers almost 42000
situated in the North Eastern part of our square kilometres and is home to roughly
country. Previously a part of Assam, this 700 bird species and over a hundred
state was formed in 1972 by bifurcating two mammal species. The Great Indian
districts of Assam, largely constituting of Hornbill is the largest bird seen here.
the areas of Khasi and Garo Hills. The ‘Khasi Hills’ is a low mountain
This is part of Meghalaya Subtropical formation with a picturesque landscape of
Forest Range. Most parts of the state are hills and far flung snow covered Himalayas
considered among the wettest places in the in the background of lush green low lying
world. Some places like Cherrapunjee or plains and beautiful sunsets seen from
Sohra and Mawsynram have been receiving almost everywhere in the state. It also has
about 500 inches of rain every year on an many rivers mostly fed by seasonal rain
average. The forests here are part of the and countless bountiful waterfalls.
larger Indo- Burma Biological Hotspot The population of Meghalaya mostly
endowed with dense rain forestation. belong to the Garo and Khasi tribes and
Meghalaya has a rich biodiversity in the prefer to live in far flung remote areas
thick forests full of popular national parks, and engage in farming; hence most parts
game and wildlife sanctuaries. These of the state are sparsely populated. With
forests are the richest botanical habitats in tourism and related activities picking
Asia and famous for the reserves of natural up tremendously in the last couple of
Flora Fauna and the main refuge for many years Shillong and Tura have become the
endangered animals and birds. bigger towns and are now quite congested.
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