broomstick, cane, ipecac, medicinal herbs and plants, cinnamon and thatch grass. Azaleas and
      rhododendrons grow wild in the forests of Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills forest and many kinds of
      wild and rare orchids are also found in many parts of the state. Pitcher plants, the insect-eating
      plants of botanical wonder is found in plenty in the Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills and South
      Garo Hills and it is said that such a plant is found nowhere else in the world. Many rare and
      interesting plants like wild citrus and pygmy lily are also found.
      Wildlife
           The state is also rich in wildlife. There are elephants, tigers, bears, wildboars, leopards,
      golden cats, leopard cats and jungle cats, deers of various kinds, binturongs, slow loris, monkeys
      of different types including cappedlangurs, golden langurs and hoolock, flying squirrels and
      giant squirrels. There are also many rare and interesting birds including the hornbills, partridges,
      pheasants, teals, snipes, geese, ducks and quails. The state has two national parks, viz, Nokrek
      and Balpakram and two wildlife sanctuaries, viz, Nongkhyllem and Siju.
      Industry
           The most important non-agro based industry is cement. Because of its rich limestone
      deposits, the state has a number of cement plants operating in different parts. The number of
      small scale industrial units covering service industry, bakeries, furniture making, iron and steel
      fabrication, tyre retreading etc., are increasing. The Meghalaya Industrial Development
      Corporation encourages private entrepreneurs to register themselves so that they may benefit
      from support and training to set up industries in small and tiny sectors by way of financing and
      equity participation.
      Places of Interest
           Meghalaya is dotted with a number of lovely tourist spots. Shillong, the capital city, has a
      number of beautiful spots. They are the Ward’s Lake, the Phan Nonglait Park, the expensive
      Polo Grounds, the Elephant Falls, the Shillong Peak over looking the city. Umiam, lies 17 km
      away from Shillong and has been developed into a popular tourist centre in the state. Shillong
      Peak, an ideal picnic spot rises 1960 metres above the sea level and is 10 km from the city.
      Sohra, 56 km from Shillong, is noted for its heavy rainfall. It is 1,300 metres above sea-level.
      Mawsynram, is situated on the South West of Shillong by the side of Shillong-Mawphlang-Balat
      road. It closely rivals Sohra in annual rainfall. Jakrem, 64 km from Shillong, is a popular health
      resort with hot springs of sulphur water which is believed to have medicinal properties. Ranikor,
      140 km from Shillong. It is also a place of scenic beauty. Dawki, 96 km from Shillong. It is an
      excellent picnic spot with silver streams and deep waters with magnificient views of the Khasi
      Hills on one side and Bangladesh on the other.
      Transport
           Being a hilly state, with 4/5th of the population living in the rural areas, the necessity of
      proper road network is of utmost importance. The state is not served by railways and river
      transportation is not feasible. Hence roads are the only means of bulk transportation here.
      Roads: Six national highways pass through the state. The state has 9350 km of road length with
      road density of 41.69 km per 100 sq.kms.
      Aviation: The only airport in the state at Umroi, 35 km from Shillong is functional.