Shillong, Aug 26: Meghalaya’s forest cover has declined by 325 sq km from 2009 to 2023, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told the Assembly on Wednesday.
The figure is based on successive assessments under the India State of Forest Report (ISFR), Sangma said in a written reply to NPP legislator from Gambegre Mehtab Chandee A Sangma.
On queries regarding district-wise forest cover and funds allocated, released and utilised for afforestation during 2014-16, 2018-23 and 2023-till date, the CM said the statement has been placed on the Table of the House.
To a question on whether government will run afforestation programmes across the state, he replied in affirmative.
The department is taking up plantations under State Plan and Central schemes like CAMPA, MEPRF and MMMRF besides awareness drives, he said.
For 2026-27, plantation over 3,065.09 hectares with an outlay of Rs 8,66,14,185.24 and 20 km of avenue plantation for Rs 1,09,70,614 has been proposed, he added.
