Parks and Gardens
In order to create awareness for conservation of nature and to provide opportunities for recreation, a number of parks and botanical gardens as shown below have been created and maintained. Some of these parks like Thankrang Park, Lady Hydari Park, Lum-Nehru Park, Ialong Park and Thadlaskein Park are major tourist attractions and revenue earners of the State.
Thangkharang Park
Sohra (Cherrapunjee), East Khasi HillsHistory: Thangkharang, a small hamlet in the southern aspect of Sohra (Cherrapunjee), is located 66 Kms from Shillong. During the Pre-Independence period, Khasi traders who were trading with erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) used this place as a night halt. They lit campfires and smoked fishes ("Thang" means smoke or burn and "kharang" means smoked fish).
Establishment: The Forest Department through Social Forestry Division East Khasi Hills during 1992-93 took the initiative to develop it as a recreational park. The primary objective was to protect and maintain the natural landscape. After three years of development over 5.5 hectares, it was inaugurated on 29th June 1996 as an Environmental-cum-Recreational Centre.
Ward's Lake
Heart of ShillongHistory: "A sylvan site of breathtaking beauty" covering an area of 6.28 hectares. William Erskine Ward, Commissioner of the then Assam Province developed the park during the British rule in 1892-93. About 2.20 hectares is an artificially created lake built by constructing a dyke.
Management: Initially managed by the DC's Office, handed to Tourism in 1981, and finally to the Forest & Environment Department in 2000. Currently, the MTDC runs the Cafeteria and Boating, while the Fishery Department looks after the fishes.
Ialong Park
Jowai, West Jaintia HillsOverview: Located about 8 kms from Jowai, it is known for its Sacred Grove of Seinraij Ialong and its stunning panoramic view over the beautiful Pynthorwah Valley.
Establishment: The former Governor of Meghalaya, His Excellency, Shri K. K. Paul inaugurated the park on 5th October 2013. It quickly established its identity on the tourist map due to its unique location, floral composition, and scenic view of the Myntdu River.
Details of Parks & Botanical Gardens
| Sl. | Division | Major Park(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Khasi Hills & Ri-Bhoi Territorial Division, Shillong | Botanical Garden -Shillong, Polo Park -Shillong, Fire Brigade park- Shillong, Rose Garden- Shillong, Nongpoh Park, State Central Library Compound Park-Shillong |
| 2 | Jaintia Hills Territorial Division. Jowai | Children Park-Forest Colony- Jowai, Sajar Nangli Park- Thadlaskein, DC Park-Jowai, Mini Arboretum Khimusniang |
| 3 | West & South West Garo Hills Territorial Division, Tura | Araimile (Tura) Botanical Garden (27 bigha) |
| 4 | East Khasi Hills Social Forestry Division, Shillong | Wards Lake Shillong, Rose Garden- Shillong |
| 5 | South West & West Khasi Hills Territorial and Social Forestry Division, Nongstoin | New Nongstoin (1.20 ha.), Mawsawa (0.70 ha.), Laitlawsang - On GAD land Mawkyrwat (3.50 ha.) & Nongkyna (1.40 ha.) |
| 6 | North Khasi Hills Social Forestry Division, Ri Bhoi | Bhoi Rymbong, Umroi, Kyrdem and Nongpoh |
| 7 | Jaintia Hills Social Forestry Division, Jowai | Children Park- Panaliar - Jowai (314 sqm), Flower Garden- Momoon-Jowai (300 sqm), Children Park- Ladthalaboh-Jowai (300 sqm), Children Park- Mynsngat (320 sqm), Children Park-Namdong (400 sqm), Children Park-Lamin (213.50 sqm), Children Park-Nongbareh (293 sqm), Children Park- Nongtalang (400 sqm), Children Park-Trangbalang (600 sqm), Children Park-Sohkha (400 sqm), Children Park-Khonglah (320 sqm), Children Park- Lulong (462 sqm), Children Park- D.C. s Quarter- Jowai (418 sqm), Ialong Park- Ialong- Jowai (12.80 ha.) |
| 8 | East Garo Hills Social Forestry Division, Williamnagar | Williamnagar Children Park (4.80 ha.), D.C. Park Williamnagar (1.00 ha.), Botanical Garden (13,.00 ha.), BajengdobaPark (1.68 ha.), V.I.P.s Plot near D.C. Residence (1.75 ha.), ChildrenPark at Thapa Kantolgure (0.32 ha.) & DamashMiniChildrenPark - Damash (1.32 ha.) |
| 9 | West Garo Hills Social Forestry Division, Tura | Rangsakona Children's Park, Bonepa Atilla Children's Park, Asingre Children Park, Ampati Children Park, Nogorpara Children Park & Memorial Children Park |
| 10 | South Garo Hills Territorial and Social Forestry Division, Baghmara | Mini Children Park-Siju, Mini Children Park-Rongra, Recreation Park-Baghmara & Botanical Garden cum Children Park- Masighat |
| 11 | Khasi Hills Wildlife Division, Shillong | Lady Hydari Park-Shillong and LumNehruPark Umiam |
| 12 | East & West Garo Hills Wildlife Division, Tura | Tura Park- Tura Akkonggre near DC Office (0.83 ha.), Nehru park cum Mini Zoo - Danakgre-Tura 913.04 ha. |
| 14 | Jaintia Hills Wildlife Division | Wildlife Complex Salaroh-Jowai |