Meghalaya: REDD+ Project Initiative on a mission to increase forest cover in West Garo Hills

TURA

The REDD+ Project Initiative was introduced in West Garo Hills district on December 15 in collaboration with Khasi Hills Community REDD+ Project.

West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh said, “The project aims to collaborate with Khasi Hills Community REDD+ Project with a view to increase forest cover, improve forest management and also to provide sustainable economy through community participation and leadership.”

Pointing out to large-scale depletion of forest cover and aggressive plantation of Arecanut in the region, the Deputy Commissioner said that preserving the forest area is necessary in order to protect the water sources and catchment areas and to mitigate the carbon emitted by vehicles, greenhouse gases, factories, etc increasing the level of oxygen which will further lead to the increase of natural and wildlife habitat in the region.

The Deputy Commissioner stressed upon water as the most essential commodity in every household and said that students should be sensitised in schools and colleges so they understand and learn to protect and preserve the water sources and the environment for the future generations.

Tambor Lyngdoh, Secretary of the “Ka Synjuk Ki Hima Arliang Wah Umiam-Mawphlang Welfare Society (KSKHAWU-MWS) informed that the REDD+ Project Initiative does not only involve in Reducing Excessive Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation but also provides Sustainable Management of Forest (SMF) and Afforestation and Reforestation (A&R) activities.

He also mentioned that the project has been certified through Plan Vivo, UK in 2013 as the Khasi Hills REDD+ Project, Meghalaya, India and is the First Community based REDD project in the North-Eastern States of India.

Project Director, DRDA, Tura C N Sangma, officials of line departments, Members of REDD+ Project initiative, Shillong were among others present on the occasion.

(Edited by Christopher Gatphoh)