Shillong, Nov 12: A community-led initiative is helping restore coal mining-affected villages in South Garo Hills while creating alternative livelihood opportunities for residents under Siju C&RD Block.
Under the Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Project (MegLIFE), 84.77 hectares of degraded land have been restored in Dobakol Awemong and Agrenggitim villages.
Of the total area, 70.83 hectares have been brought under Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR), with 400 saplings planted per hectare to encourage vegetation growth and restore the landscape.
The remaining 13.94 hectares have been brought under aromatic grass cultivation, mainly citronella and lemongrass, combining ecological restoration with livelihood opportunities.
A key intervention is the citronella plantation at Agrenggitim, which was launched in 2023 with around seven lakh citronella slips planted across 13.94 hectares. Local women have played an active role in driving the initiative.
The project follows a phased restoration approach. Aromatic grasses were first introduced to help rehabilitate the degraded soil, followed by tree plantation from 2025 onwards to support the gradual recovery of the landscape.
A distillation unit has been set up to process aromatic grasses into essential oils which is being operated and managed by the locals, while market linkages have been facilitated to help sell the products.
Apart from generating livelihood opportunities, the plantation is also contributing to soil restoration and water conservation, with improvements in local water bodies and reduced siltation observed in the area.
These efforts were showcased during a press tour to the district organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) for journalists from Shillong. The press team also visited the citronella plantation at Nangalbibra, which is part of the broader effort to promote land restoration and sustainable livelihoods in the district.
