Page 30 - Seniors Today
P. 30
plus a large variety of fruits vegetables SIJU is primarily a bird sanctuary. It is the
spices and medicinal plants. The Siju and abode of the vivid and the gorgeous winged
Mawsmai caves are famous for abundance population. It is the first and the oldest
in coal limestone and uranium reserves. reserved sanctuary in Meghalaya. It is
Also near Mawsywram is the longest known particularly for the Grey Hornbill,
sandstone cave in the world. migratory Siberian Ducks and Spoonbills.
Many animals can also be sighted…
elephants, Sambar deer, barking deer, wild
boars, leopards, tigers, marbled cat, water
buffalo and more.
Living Roots Bridge of Riwai
Here we can see centuries old natural
bridges grown from tangled roots. Credited
to the ingenious members of the Khasi tribe
from NOWHET village who have trained
the roots of ancient rubber trees by weaving
them together across the long river to form
beautiful and studies structures which we
call the living root bridges. These trees
(relatives of the banyan, send out aerial
roots which were entwined) were planted
Inside a sandstone cave
around 1840 by the locals. This Bridge is
Places of tourist interest: about 30m in length and probably this is
The three Wildlife Sanctuaries the only place in the world where there are
Today they are known as the best protected almost a 100 big and small bridges. This
zones in the Northeast. In earlier days, one in Rawai is the most approachable and
annual community hunting had been a popular one.
tradition, and deforestation was taking
place in the name of development, but Mawlynnong….. Was awarded as the
with the passage of time the authorities cleanest village in Asia in 2003 by the
of the forest department have been Discover India Magazine. This is a nice
able to motivate the tribes towards the and green village paved with winding
importance conservation. They believe - If roads going up and down. It looks like a
the forest is left alone it shall regenerate neat clean place out of a modern fairy tale.
on its own. The communities are generally The houses are mostly on stilts and built of
sensitive towards nature, so the task bamboo and local materials. No vehicles are
was easy. Now the sanctuaries are now allowed inside the village which has a total
pristine and flourishing. Efforts are on population of less than a thousand people.
to protect and increase the population of Due to the tourist influx many locals have
the clouded leopard….which is privy to started offering homestays and on order
NONGKHYLLEM. You will see one if you and request one can savour authentic Khasi
are lucky. cuisine.
30
