In 2017, Meghalaya's forests constituted 76.4% of the state's total area but faced degradation, with
a 1.2% decrease (142 km2) in forest area and a 157 km2 increase in open forest rate to 42% from 2013
to 2017. This degradation resulted in adverse impacts such as reduced timber and non-timber forest
production, soil erosion, and river sedimentation, which has negatively affected local communities.
To address these issues, the Project for Community-Based Forest Management and Livelihoods
Improvement in Meghalaya (MegLIFE) was initiated, aligning with the state's "Meghalaya Vision
2030."
MegLIFE aims to restore and conserve natural resources, enhance livelihoods, strengthen
institutions in project villages, and contribute to environmental conservation, biodiversity, and
socio-economic upliftment in Meghalaya. It supports sustainable community forest management,
participatory planning, and inclusive growth in line with regional and national development
objectives including the North Eastern Region Vision 2020 and the "Green India Mission" under the
National Action Plan on Climate Change.
