Reserved Forests
Forest Administration
The Forest Department has been compartmented into four Circles/Wings based on jurisdiction and nature of activities: the Territorial Circle, the Wildlife Circle, the Social Forestry and Environment Circle and the Climate Change, Research and Training Circle.
The Territorial Wing's primary activities are enforcement of various Forest Regulations and Rules, protection of the Reserved and Protected Forests, granting mining leases and quarry permits for minor minerals under Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2016, collection of Forest Revenue and regulation of Wood Based Industries.
The Territorial Wing is headed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Territorial), assisted by the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (T), Chief Conservator of Forests (T) and two supervisory level officers — Conservator of Forests (T), Shillong and Conservator of Forests (T), Tura.
Territorial Divisions
Major Activities
Protection of Reserved and Protected Forests from biotic and abiotic pressure through active enforcement and surveillance.
Management of RF/PFs as per approved Working Plans and regulation of felling of trees in private and community forests per approved working schemes.
Creation of Plantations within RFs and PFs, and maintenance of forest nurseries to meet demand of seedlings from the public.
Implementation of key Acts: Meghalaya Forest Regulation Act 1973, Meghalaya Tree Preservation Act 1976, Forest Conservation Act 1980, and multiple environmental regulations.
Implementation of Orders of the Hon'ble Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal in matters related to conservation of forests and environment.
Granting mining leases and quarry permits under MMCR 2016; regulation of establishment of wood based industries including Saw mills, Furniture units and Timber Depots.
Issuing NOC and Non-forest certificates for projects, mining, roads, constructions, stone crusher, furniture units, extraction of minor minerals and various developmental projects.
Collection of Forest Royalty and Transit Fee from forest produce and minor minerals; co-ordinating with District Administration and Police for smooth administration of Forest Laws.
Processing of Forest Offence Reports to Judiciary; dealing with court cases on illegal felling, illegal saw mills, encroachment and facilitating clearing of wind-fallen trees on roads.
Official Forest Directories of Meghalaya
Table 1 — Territorial Divisions
| Division | Jurisdiction | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| East Khasi Hills & Ri-Bhoi Territorial Division, Shillong | East Khasi Hills District and Ri-Bhoi District | 0364-2226375 |
| Jaintia Hills Territorial Division, Jowai | East Jaintia Hills and West Jaintia Hills Districts | 03652-223709 |
| West and South West Garo Hills Territorial Division, Tura | West and South West Garo Hills Districts | 03651-223850 |
| East & North Garo Hills Territorial Division, Williamnagar | East Garo Hills District and North Garo Hills Districts | — |
| South Garo Hills Territorial and Social Forestry Division, Baghmara | South Garo Hills District | — |
| West and South West Khasi Hills Territorial and Social Forestry Division, Nongstoin | West Khasi Hills District and South West Khasi Hills District | 9436998562 |
Table 2 — Reserved Forests in Meghalaya
| Jurisdiction | District | Name of RF | Area (sq.km) | Gazette Notifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DFO (T) East Khasi Hills & Ri-Bhoi District, Shillong | Ri-Bhoi | Nongkhyllem R.F. | 125.91 | No. 4692 F of 23.7.1909 & 864 G. J of 4.2.1939. |
| DFO (T) East Khasi Hills & Ri-Bhoi District, Shillong | Ri-Bhoi | Umsaw R.F. | 0.44 | No. G.F.R 234/46/3 of 16.12.1946 |
| DFO (T) East Khasi Hills & Ri-Bhoi District, Shillong | East Khasi Hills | Riatkhwan R.F. | 3.91 | No. 806 R of 5.3.1892 & 4287 R of 1.9.1892 |
| DFO (T) East Khasi Hills & Ri-Bhoi District, Shillong | East Khasi Hills | Shyrwat R.F | 0.44 | No. FOR.179/80/187 of 28.3.1988 |
| DFO (T) East Khasi Hills & Ri-Bhoi District, Shillong | East Khasi Hills | Riat Laban R.F. | 2.05 | No. FOR 179/80/183 of 28.3.1988 |
| DFO (T) Jaintia Hills, Jowai | East Jaintia Hills | Saipung R.F. | 150.35 | No. 26/7/1876 and 5 of 17.10.187 |
| DFO (T) Jaintia Hills, Jowai | East Jaintia Hills | Narpuh R.F Block I | 62.42 | No. 3978 F of 17.6.1909 |
| DFO (T) Jaintia Hills, Jowai | East Jaintia Hills | Narpuh R.F Block II | 98.68 | No. 1106 R of 9.3.1918. |
| DFO West Khasi Hills Social Forestry & Territorial Division, Nongstoin | West Khasi Hills | Nongumiang R.F. | 0.31 | FOR.118/92/124 dated 08.09.2003. |
| DFO West & South West Garo Hills Territorial Division, Tura | West Garo Hills | Dibru Hills R.F. | 15.02 | No. 28 dt.19.6.1883 & 3526 R of 10.12.1930 |
| DFO West & South West Garo Hills Territorial Division, Tura | West Garo Hills | Tura peak R.F | 4.19 | No. FOR.10/75/32 dt 23.6.1982 |
| DFO East and North Garo Hills (T) Division, Williamnagar | East Garo Hills | Songsak R.F. | 23.31 | No. 29 of 1.10.1885 |
| DFO East and North Garo Hills (T) Division, Williamnagar | East Garo Hills | Rongrenggiri R.F. | 36.26 | No. 28 of 19.6.1883 |
| DFO East and North Garo Hills (T) Division, Williamnagar | East Garo Hills | Darugiri R.F. | 10.36 | Number 28 of 19.6.1883 |
| DFO South Garo Hills Social Forestry and Territorial Division, Baghmara | South Garo Hills | Baghmara R.F. | 43.91 | No. 12 dt 24.2.1887 |
Table 3 — Protected Forests in Meghalaya
| Jurisdiction | District | Name of P.F | Area (Sq.km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DFO (T) East Khasi Hills & Ri-Bhoi District, Shillong | East Khasi Hills | Upper Shillong P.F | 7.66 |
| DFO (T) East Khasi Hills & Ri-Bhoi District, Shillong | East Khasi Hills | Short Round P.F | 1.13 |
| DFO (T) East Khasi Hills & Ri-Bhoi District, Shillong | East Khasi Hills | Laitkor P.F | 3.25 |
| DFO (T) East Khasi Hills & Ri-Bhoi District, Shillong | East Khasi Hills | Green Block No.2 | 0.21 |
| DFO (T) East Khasi Hills & Ri-Bhoi District, Shillong | East Khasi Hills | Umkhuti P.F | 0.14 |
Table 4 — Non Forest Land / Compensatory Afforestation
| Name of User Agency | Name of Project | Area (ha) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meghalaya State Electricity Board / MeECL | Diversion of 99.00 ha forest land for Myntdu (Leshka) Hydro Project in Jaintia Hills | 106.28 | Umdiker, Ri Bhoi District |
| MeCL | Exchange land against 24.28 ha of land handed over for stage IV Hydel project | 23.48 | Nongmahir Road, Ri Bhoi District |
| MeCL | Exchange against proposal for 132 KV transmission line from stage IV power station to Sarusajai | 3.5 | Fisheries site, Nongmahir, Ri Bhoi District |
| M/s Star Cement | Non-Forest land transferred to the Department for compensatory afforestation under FC Act 1980 | 4.82 | Moulhoi, East Jaintia Hills |
| M/s Adhunik Cement Ltd. | Non-Forest land transferred to the Department for compensatory afforestation under FC Act 1980 | 154.888 | Moulhoi, East Jaintia Hills |
Table 5 — Parks & Gardens under Forest Department
| Name of Park / Garden | District | Area (sq.km) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lady Hydari Park | East Khasi Hills | 0.10 | Shillong |
| Ward Lake Garden | East Khasi Hills | 0.06 | Shillong |
| Nehru Park | Ri-Bhoi | 0.15 | Umiam |
Table 6 — Forest Area under Direct Control
| Particular / Category | Area (Sq.km) | Percentage | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reserved Forests | 626.55 | 55.6% | Directly under State Forest Dept. |
| Protected Forests | 12.39 | 1.1% | Protected under Forest Acts |
| National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries | 498.40 | 43.3% | Nokrek, Balpakram, etc. |
| Parks & Gardens | 7.85 | 0.7% | Urban parks and botanical gardens |
Reserved & Protected Forest Map
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