Shillong, June 6 : Meghalaya is doubling down on its commitment to environmental sustainability and clean urban spaces. On World Environment Day 2025, the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly hosted a significant Tree Plantation Programme at the New Assembly Complex in Mawdiangdiang, attended by top state leaders who collectively pledged a greener and cleaner future for the state.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma unveiled ambitious targets for forest expansion and highlighted significant progress in the state’s innovative environmental initiatives. Speaking at the event, Speaker Thomas A Sangma urged citizens to embrace an eco-conscious legacy, drawing inspiration from Mawlynnong, Asia’s cleanest village, to transform the entire state.
Chief Minister Sangma detailed the state government’s robust efforts in environmental conservation, revealing impressive gains over the past seven years. “Meghalaya has added nearly 22,000 hectares of forest cover and planted close to 2 crore saplings,” he announced. “Our goal is to increase this to 40,000 hectares in the next five years.”
The Chief Minister also elaborated on the success of the pioneering Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) programme, which directly incentivizes communities for forest conservation. “Over ₹42 crore has already been disbursed, supporting the protection of 52,000 hectares,” he stated. Under the upgraded Green Meghalaya Plus initiative, communities can now receive up to ₹20,000 per hectare, with an ambitious target of conserving 1 lakh hectares.
Beyond afforestation, the Chief Minister underscored the government’s focus on urban cleanliness with the recently launched ‘Mission Clean Shillong 2027’. This initiative aims to drastically improve sanitation and aesthetics in preparation for the upcoming National Games. “We are operating in mission mode—be it increasing manpower for garbage collection or bio-mining at the Marten landfill, where 50% of legacy waste has already been cleared,” he affirmed. Similar interventions are planned for Tura, Jowai, and other towns.
Speaker Thomas A Sangma emphasized the integration of environmental responsibility into the very fabric of the state, noting the ecological design of the New Assembly Complex itself. “This campus is a reflection of modern architecture rooted in ecological consciousness. Every tree planted today is a promise to our future generations,” he remarked.
The Speaker issued a powerful call for a statewide collective movement, citing the remarkable example of Mawlynnong. “If one village can become the cleanest in Asia through community effort, the entire state can rise to that standard,” he passionately stated. “Let us work toward a Meghalaya where every hill is green, every stream flows clean, and every child breathes fresh air.”
R.S. Gill, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force, highlighted Meghalaya’s deep-rooted tradition of community-led conservation, from its sacred groves to its iconic living root bridges. “Meghalaya is a living example of sustainable stewardship,” he said, acknowledging how programmes like Green Meghalaya and Green Meghalaya Plus continue this legacy by empowering local communities to protect nature. Gill also praised the state government’s investment in strengthening forest infrastructure, including improved housing and transportation for frontline personnel.
The event saw the participation of a host of prominent dignitaries, including Deputy Speaker Timothy D Shira, Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, and several cabinet ministers. Senior Assembly and Forest Department officials were also in attendance, collectively reaffirming a shared commitment to safeguarding Meghalaya’s unique and vibrant natural environment for generations to come. The programme concluded with all dignitaries actively participating in a symbolic plantation drive across the Assembly premises.
