Synopsis Ecology and Environment of Shillong

Introduction
Shillong (Khasi: Shillong) is the capital of Meghalaya, one of the smallest states in India and home to the Khasis. It is also the headquarters of the East Khasi Hills district and is situated at an average altitude of 4,908 feet (1,496 m) above sea level, with the highest point being Shillong Peak at 6,449 feet (1,966 m). The city had a population of 314,610 according to the 2011 census. Shillong remained the capital of undivided Assam until the creation of the new state of Meghalaya on January 21, 1972, Shillong is a treasure trove of Nature, with its rich variation of dense endemic and cultivated flora. Nature, in its plenteous abundance, had blessed Shillong with a unique array of plantation, ranging from tropical and sub-tropical to temperate or near temperate. Biotic factors have also played an important role, at places decisive. Shillong is also a happy hunting ground to the zoologists for its interesting, rare and diverse fauna wealth. It is said that about 50% of the entire population of mammal genera found in the entire Indian sub-continent can be seen in Shillong and other states in the North-East.

History
Shillong was a small village until 1864, when it became the new civil station of the Khasi and Jaintia hills. It remained the summer capital of Eastern Bengal and Assam for many years. In 1874, on the formation of Assam as a Chief Commissioners Province, it was chosen as the capital of the new administration. An earthquake destroyed the city in 1897, necessitating its complete rebuilding. In January 1972, Shillong became the capital of the newly formed state of Meghalaya.

Geography
Shillong is located at 25.57N 91.88E. It is on the Shillong Plateau, the only major pop-up structure in the northern Indian shield. The city lies in the centre of the plateau and is surrounded by hills.

Weather
The climate of Meghalaya varies with the altitude. The climate of Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hillsis uniquely pleasant and caressing. It is neither too warm in summer nor too cold in winter, but over the plains of Garo Hills, the climate is hot and humid, except in winter.

Flora of Shillong
There are 150 species of ferns and a profusion of mosses, fungi and lichens. More than 250 species of orchids, 25 species of balsams, 20 species of palms, wild species of apples and 150 species of grass are available. In the upper hill regions from 1500 m and above, in the central plateau of Khasi Hills, coniferous

vegetations like pines, oaks and ferns are found. This makes a distinct and interesting natural vegetation belt.

Fauna of Shillong
The other wild animals found here include: tigers, bisons, and hoolock gibbons, boars, barking deer, sambars, leopards, apes and monkeys. Among reptiles, many kinds of snakes, poisonous and non-poisonous lizards are found here. There are also a wide variety of birds found in the higher altitudes. A special mention of the approximately 500 species of butterflies found in Meghalaya needs to be made, with some of them being very rare.

Animals in Shillong Civets

Civets have a broadly cat-like general appearance, though the muzzle is extended and often pointed, rather like an otter or a mongoose. They range in length from about 17 to 28 in (43 to 71 cm) (excluding their long tails) and in weight from about 3 to 10 lb (1.4 to 4.5 kg).

Mongoose
The Mongoose is any member of a family of 33 species of small carnivorans . Four additional species from Madagascar in the subfamily Galidiinae, which were previously classified in this family , are also referred to as "mongooses" or "mongoose-like".

Reptiles in Shillong Lizard

Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains.

Tortoise
Tortoises are a family of land-dwelling reptiles of the order of turtles (Testudines). Like their marine cousins, the sea turtles, tortoises are shielded from predators by a shell. The top part of the shell is the carapace, the underside is the plastron, and the two are connected by the bridge.

Plants in Shillong Succulent plants

Succulent plants, also known as succulents or fat plants, water retaining plants adapted to arid climates or soil conditions. Succulent plants store water in their leaves,stems, and also in roots. Geophytes that survive unfavourable periods by dying back to underground storage organs such as tuberous roots, corms, bulbs, and rhizomes, may be regarded as succulents.

Threats
Habitat loss is the primary cause of species loss at local, regional and global scales. Urban development, water development, road building, recreation, fireraising, fire-suppresion, agriculture and tree logging all destroy and degrade natural habitats. It is estimated that habitat destruction from human activity is the primary cause of risk for 83% of endangered plant species.

Pollution and Disease

Pollution is the release of chemical, physical, biological or radioactive contaminants to the environment. Because it is sometimes not visible to the naked eye, and it disperses through the mediums it is emitted into (usually air or water), its direct effects of can sometimes be hard to spot. This is especially true for plants.

Fire
The most common hazard in forests is forests fire. Forests fires are as old as the forests themselves. They pose a threat not only to the forest wealth but also to the entire regime to fauna and flora seriously disturbing the bio-diversity and the ecology and environment of a region. During summer, when there is no rain for months, the forests become littered with dry senescent leaves and twinges, which could burst into flames ignited by the slightest spark.

Soil Erosion
Soil erosion by water, wind and tillage affects both agriculture and the natural environment. Soil loss, and its associated impacts, is one of the most important of today's environmental problems

Poaching
Poaching is the illegal hunting, killing or capturing of animals. This can occur in a variety of ways. Poaching can refer to the failure to comply with regulations for legal harvest, resulting in the illegal taking of wildlife that would otherwise be allowable.

Aims & Objectives

To study about the wildlife covered in Shillong. To study about the Threats of Natural calamities like fire, storm, diseases and human invention like poaching and theft of plants and their protection in Shillong. To study about the efforts taken to increase the fauna covered in Shillong. To study about current Scenario and its future prospects To study about the utilization of plants and preservation technique of them by the government.

Research Methodology
Data has been collected from primary and secondary data

Primary Data Source

Personal visit to Shillong. Personal meeting with the local people near Shillong.

Secondary Data Source

Newspaper(The Hindustan Times, The Times of India) Magazines(Bharat Darshan) Journals

Tentative Chapters
Chapter-1 Introduction Chapter-2 Fauna of Shillong Chapter-3 Shillong; Threats and Protection by the Govt. Chapter-4 Shillong; Its current Scenario and Future Prospects. Chapter-5 Conclusion

References
Fauna of Shillong, Volume 1 Written by Zoological Survey of India, Published by The Survey, 1999 . Fauna of Shillong, Volume 5 Wrtten by Zoological Survey of India, Published by The Survey, 2000

Studies on the odonate fauna of Shillong Written by India, 1987

A. R.

Lahiri, Zoological Survey of India, Published by Zoological Survey of

Ecology, diversity, and conservation of plants and ecosystems in India By H. N. Pandey, S. K. Barik, O. P. Tripathi, Published by Daya Books, 2006.

Shifting cultivation in India Written by Saradindu Bose, Anthropological Survey of India, Published by Anthropological Survey of India, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Dept. of Culture, Govt. of India, 1991

Flora of Jowai and vicinity, Shillong: a contribution towards a detailed knowledge of the flora of the Northeastern region of India, Volume 1, Written by Nambiyath Puthnapurayil Balakrishnan, Published by Botanical Survey of India, 1983

Ecology abstracts , Volume 10, Issues 10-12 Written by Information Retrieval Limited, Unesco. Programme on Man and the Biosphere, Published by Information Retrieval Limited., 1984