Eco Development Society of Meghalaya
Community participation and eco-development initiatives.
Established in March 1985, the Eco-Development Society of Meghalaya operates under the Forests and Environment Department, Government of Meghalaya. Its primary mandate is to execute integrated socio-economic developmental works, livelihood support, and ecological restoration in and around major protected zones, specifically focusing on the peripheries of Balpakram National Park and Nokrek National Park.
Administrative Framework
Governance
Administered under its Memorandum of Association and Rules & Regulations, with leadership appointed by the State Government, including the Board of Directors, Chairperson, and Vice-Chairperson.
Executive Leadership
Managed under the active administrative charge of the Managing Director.
Core Developmental & Conservation Achievements
Land Development & Reclamation
Extends financial and technical grants to individual farmers for land reclamation and wet paddy cultivation development, successfully benefiting communities surrounding the Nokrek National Park ecosystem.
Small-Scale Irrigation Projects
Facilitates the construction of community irrigation dams and water channels across remote fringe settlements such as Rongru-A.sim, Alokpang, Gulpani Binra, Rewak Songmong, Moradam, Imblioka, and Nengsra.
Horticulture & Agro-Forestry
Distributes high-value horticulture seedlings (arecanut, oranges, rubber) through decentralized nurseries, alongside encouraging indigenous cultivation of cash crops like Tezpat and cane.
Educational Infrastructure Support
Aids local communities in replacing dilapidated bamboo and thatch structures with semi-pucca school buildings, supporting recognized Lower Primary, Middle English, and High Schools.
Rural Drinking Water Supply
Installs ring wells, water catchment dams, and localized piped water supply schemes in partnership with student work-camps and community self-help groups.
Afforestation & Catchment Protection
Undertakes massive afforestation drives using mixed native species to safeguard vital water catchment areas and meet sustainable rural fuel-wood and timber requirements.
Communication & Connectivity
Constructs and maintains rural footpaths, hanging footbridges, and jeepable roads connecting remote forest-fringe villages to markets and major PWD arteries.
Environmental Awareness Campaigns
Conducts regular ecological awareness and community mobilization programs across East, West, and South Garo Hills in collaboration with MoEFCC.
Community-Led Bamboo Plantations
Promotes commercial bamboo cultivation in collaboration with village A.king lands and community reserve committees across the Garo Hills.
Wildlife Relocation & Rehabilitation
Successfully spearheaded the relocation and rehabilitation of core-area settlements (Kaweng and Rongkandi) to designated eco-developmental zones (Maighat and Rongaresonggital).
Future Scope & Strategic Vision
Watershed Management
Scaling up comprehensive watershed restoration across critical river basins and promoting eco-friendly commercial cash crops like black pepper and coffee.
Green Energy Integration
Deploying solar lighting systems and solar home solutions across remote protected boundaries and relocated rural settlements.
Cottage Industry & Marketing
Strengthening local micro-enterprises and establishing dedicated market facilities for indigenous farmers and forest-fringe communities.
Achievements
Land Development
129 ha reclaimed for wet paddy cultivation · 106 families benefited · ₹3,000/ha assistance
Irrigation Development
Dams & channels around Nokrek and Balpakram · ₹4,000/ha · ₹0.99 lakh spent (1986)
Horticulture Development
270 ha orange (501 families) · 141 ha arecanut (320 families) · nursery at Sangkinigre
School Infrastructure
64 Lower Primary and 3 Middle/High Schools built in semi-pucca structures
Afforestation
560 ha of mixed-species plantations across catchment areas
Communication
100 km of footpaths and 82 km of jeepable roads connecting villages, schools and markets
Environmental Awareness
20 villages across East, West & South Garo Hills · ₹7.30 lakh funded by Govt. of India & Meghalaya
Bamboo Plantation
175 ha across 9 villages in East, West & North Garo Hills · ₹26.68 lakh project cost
Rehabilitation of Displaced Families
2 villages relocated, 1988–1999 · ₹36.44 lakh in resettlement support
Ongoing Projects
Eco-Tourism, Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary
Nature-based economic model creating conservation-linked livelihoods and reducing pressure on natural resources.
PMA: TCIL
STATUS
- DPR prepared and completed
- Site identification completed
- Talks ongoing with KHADC on pending NOC
Climate Change Museum & Eco Park
India’s first dedicated climate change awareness and education centre, in Upper Shillong.
PMA: RHINO Engineer Pvt Ltd
STATUS
- DPR prepared, under technical vetting and verification
Integrated Command & Control Centre (ICCC)
Digitises planning, monitoring and management of forestry operations statewide via MIS and geospatial data.
PMA: MIDCL, with Pro-Digital & Aikya
STATUS
- Civil, interior and hardware works completed
- Software development ongoin
- Drones, cameras & devices pending supply
