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Forest & Environment Department

Government of Meghalaya

Forest Overview

Cradle of Angiosperms

— Joseph Dalton Hooker
Cradle of Angiosperms Illustration

Meghalaya is among the few States in the country which can be proud of its abundance of natural forest wealth spanning across large part of its geographical area, much higher than national average. Its location, physiographical features, altitudinal variation, abundant rainfall, salubrious climate and fertile soils favours high species diversity and supports different types of forests.

The vegetation types range from tropical rain forest in foothill to Alpine meadows and cold desert. This rich flora had been the centre of attraction for many botanists starting from Buchanan Hamilton (1820-24) and rightly considered as Botanist Paradises.

3,500+
Flowering Plants
352+
Orchid Species
40
Bamboo Types

Geography & Climate

Shillong Plateau Hills
Shillong Plateau

Shillong Plateau: Meghalaya — the abode of clouds, where moisture prevails throughout the year.
Altitudinal variation ranges from 50 meters to 1,950 meters above sea level.
Home to Sohra and Mawsynram, the wettest places on Earth.
Monsoonal climate with distinct warm-wet and cold-dry periods.

Living Treasure

3,500+
Flowering Plants
352+
Orchid Species
40
Bamboo Species
800+
Medicinal Plants
40
Endemic Species
75
Threatened Species

Rare & Endemic Species

Pitcher Plant (Tiew-Rrak)

Nepenthes khasiana

An iconic carnivorous pitcher plant unique to Meghalaya tropical forests, protected under Schedule VI of the Wildlife Protection Act.

Meghalaya Hills

Western Hoolock Gibbon

Hoolock hoolock

The only ape species found in India, thriving in the dense canopy forests of Nokrek and Balpakram.

Meghalaya Hills
Rhododendron Forest at Shillong Peak

Nokrek Biosphere Reserve & Peak

Home to the rare Asian Elephant and ancient wild citrus (Citrus indica), Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO World Network Biosphere Reserve offering breathtaking summit views, lush biodiversity, and pristine cloud forest trails.

Explore Nokrek Trail

Important Tree Species

Botanical NameCommon / Local Name
Shorea robusta Sal, Sakhu
Mesua ferrea Dieng ngai, Nahar
Myrica esculenta Box myrtle, Dieng Sohphi
Prunus cerasoides Wild Himalayan Cherry
Betula alnoides Dieng ling
Tectona grandis Teak, Segun
Pinus kesiya Khasi pine
Lagerstroemia spp Ajhow, Jarul, Sida
Michelia spp Champ, Sopa, Titachap
Bombax ceiba Semul
Terminalia Myriocarpa Hollock
Gmelina arborea State Tree Gamari
Toona ciliata Poma
Schima wallichii Makrisal, Nagaplu
Quercus spp. Oak

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