SHILLONG, JUN 4: Branded the ‘Abode of Clouds’ for its lush forests and clean rivers, Meghalaya is banking on community-led initiatives to balance rapid infrastructure growth with environmental sustainability, with the state government expanding Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes and water conservation projects across all districts.
Under Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, the state launched the GREEN — Grassroots Level Response towards Ecosystem Enhancement & Nurturing — Meghalaya scheme in June 2022.
Built on the PES model, it incentivizes villages, clans, and individuals to conserve natural forests for at least 30 years. Meghalaya is the first state in the country to implement the program, which is also the largest PES initiative nationwide.
Following its initial success, the government rolled out GREEN Meghalaya+ to conserve an additional 50,000 hectares of forest. In March, over 2,700 beneficiaries in Shillong received more than ₹25 crore under the scheme. A separate event in Tura disbursed over ₹1.16 crore to 60 beneficiaries. Incentives have been raised to up to ₹20,000 per hectare in select areas.
Community participation is driving results on the ground.
In Daronggre, Garo Hills, clans are conserving forest land to protect biodiversity and cultural heritage with support from GREEN Meghalaya+. In Mustem village, Jaintia Hills, the Pyrtuh clan is conserving 15 hectares of forest and has accessed resources through the PES scheme.
Over the last eight years, the state has planted new forests across 30,000 hectares and scaled up catchment protection programs. The government has mapped around 60,000 springs in the past five years, constructed over 700 water harvesting structures, and protected 747 critical water sources. More than 530 community-based water harvesting projects are under construction, linking conservation with livelihood improvement. Meghalaya’s climate-adaptation work has drawn national recognition. The Economic Survey 2025-26, tabled in Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, highlighted the state’s Protection of Vulnerable Catchment Areas under the MegARISE project, Spring Mapping Initiative, and Climate-Adaptive Community-Based Water Harvesting Project as models for balancing ecology with economy.
MegARISE aims to enhance water security in Umiew in East Khasi Hills and Ganol in West Garo Hills through sustainable forest management.
Another flagship effort, the MegLIFE project, targets restoration of 22,500 hectares of degraded forests across 30 blocks in 12 districts. Urban greening is also on the agenda. Recognizing the need for green cover amid expansion of the New Shillong Township, the state launched the Avenue Plantation Project in 2025.
The initiative plans to plant 6,000 trees along major roads, covering over 25 km of avenues and 2 km of medians.
The government said its goal is to position Meghalaya as a leader in climate-resilient agriculture, eco-tourism, and sustainability by expanding forest cover, protecting natural resources, and promoting scientific mining.
