Cherapunjee: cliffs, gorges and sacred groves (18291)
India, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1e, B1
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Cherapunjee: cliffs, gorges and sacred groves
Central coordinates: Latitude: 25.2480, Longitude: 91.7038
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Area of KBA (km2): 163.11971
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Cherrapunjee also known as “abode of cloud” is one of the highest rainfalls areas in the world (24,461 mm in 1860-61 and over 24,000 mm in 1974). Under Sohra Subdivision in East Khasi Hills, Cherrapunjee is traversed by a number of deep gorges that have cliffs like Nohkalikai, Mawiir, Mawpyrkong, Thankarang and Mawiew beside the Shillong-Sohra road near Sohra Bazar. Large smoothly undulating plateaux are found over the cliffside. This site is the home for 30% of the total global known population of the Dark-rumped or Khasi Hills Swift Apus acuticauda. The climate is subtropical monsoon with distinct wet and dry seasons. The long wet monsoons are from May through October and cold dry from November to February with a short spring during March-April. Current average annual rainfall is just above 12,000 mm. The temperature varies from a maximum 25 °C to a minimum of 3 °C. Relative humidity ranges from 47% to 92%. Frosted dew is also observed early morning in different parts of Cherrapunjee during January. The vegetation of Cherrapunjee is quite peculiar and has a ‘shola’ like appearance. Vast tracts of short as well as tall grassland and patches of ‘crooked’ forest occur on the slopes along the streams and rivulets (Tripathi et al. 1995). The local people regard most of the patches as ‘sacred groves’. However, ecologists believe that this landscape of Cherrapunjee has emerged due to deforestation and traditional jhum cultivation in the past (Tripathi et al. 1995). Broadleaf Evergreen Forest is found on the steep slopes below cliffs and gorges. Waterfalls and scenic beauty attract many tourists to this area. Cherrapunjee and its surroundings have many small and largesized sacred groves, which are refuge to a number of species of birds and other fauna. The Mawsmai sacred groove is the largest among them with an area of 600 ha. Hunting, grazing, habitat destruction, and firewood collection are major threats.. Extensive deforestation has taken place in Cherrapunjee during the last two decades and now remnants of forest survive in deep gorges and other inaccessible areas. Even the sacred groves are subjected to unsustainable exploitations due to firewood collection. Conservation education among the locals is likely to improve the current conservation scenario. Traditional hunting using live decoy and gum is a common practice among the young generation, along with the more traditional catapult. Even small birds are not left alone.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site holds the entire known population of Bufoides meghalayanus. The Shillong Bush Frog, Dark-rumped Swift, and Tawny-breasted Wren-babbler meet legacy KBA criteria and are in need of reassessment against the Global Standard.
Manageability of the site: This site was identified as an IBA/KBA in 2004, and access to the original manageability rationale is no longer available.
Delineation rationale: This site was identified as an IBA/KBA in 2004, and access to the original delineation rationale is no longer available.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 25 | |
| Grassland | 25 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 25 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 25 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |