English - PRAVASI BHARATIYA - Overseas Indian

TRAVELFOSTERED BYMOTHER NATURENestling in the eastern Himalayas, Meghalaya is the land of majesticmountains, deep gorges, sparkling lakes and mesmerising waterfalls,says Kamini KumariUmiam Lake — also known as‘Bara Pani’ — in ShillongAsmall state situated in thehilly terrains of Garo-Khasi Mountains, Meghalayais an upcoming ecotourismdestination with its abundantflora and fauna. Meghalaya literallymeans ‘abode of clouds’which describes the climatic phenomenonof torrential rains in theregion. The state is blessed withspellbinding natural beauty withover 250 species of flowers,sparkling lakes, dazzling rivers,lush green mountains, gushingwaterfalls and thriving wildlife.This spectacular north-easternstate of India has it all.Garo-Khasi HillsMeghalaya was declared the 21ststate of India in 1972 by unifyingthe regions of the Garo andKhasi mountains. The Khasi hillsregion is characterised by animposing plateau marked by deepgorges and steep slopes. The greeneryspread across the river valleysis breathtaking with over 150species of grass. The place alsoboasts of a number of ancientmonoliths and table stones as tall as6 metres.The Tura peak of Garo hills, 657metres above sea level, offers anarresting sight of the mightyBrahmaputra river flowing downthe plains. Its catchment area isclearly visible from the peak, offeringone of the country’s most raresights. The Nokrek BiosphereReserve in the Garo hills region isone of the least disturbed foresttracts of the Himalayan ranges. Italso houses the mysterious Sijucave, which has water drippingcontinuously from its walls and isyet to be explored completely.Cherrapunji: Earth’swettest placeRegarded as the wettest place onearth, Cherrapunji’s yearlyrainfall measures over 11,430 mm.Tucked away in the Khasi hills, 56km from Shillong, Cherrapunji wasthe first British outpost in the easternpart of India.Over 1300 metres above sea level,this breath-taking enclave is alsofamous for its limestone caves andorange honey. A place where reverberatingwaterfalls leap into deepgorges forming splendorous rainbows.Shillong: ‘Scotland ofthe East’The state capital is a very attractivehill station luring you withits sparkling lakes, numerouswaterfalls and pine-tree forests. Theplace still has an English auraattached to it, with locals addressingit as ‘mini London’. Shillonghas a host of attractions making ita popular tourist destination. Itboasts of an 18-hole golf course situatedin the heart of the city. Establishedin 1898 by officers of BritishCivil Services, golfers from all overthe world come here to test theirskills. The densely forested ShillongPeak, 1,965 metres above sea level isan ideal place for camping. A steepcurvy road will take you to thepoint from where you can have aTop: Locals playing the betting game ‘Teer’Below: A root bridge in Cherrapunji40 Pravasi Bharatiya March 2010Pravasi Bharatiya March 2010 41