Forest Administration

The Forest Department has been compartmented into four Circles/Wings based on jurisdiction and nature of activities.  They are the Territorial Circle, the Wildlife Circle, the Social Forestry and Environment Circle and the Climate Change, Research and Training Circle.

Territorial Wing

Its primary activities are enforcement of various Forest Regulations and Rules, protection of the Reserved/Protected Forests, granting mining leases/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).  He is assisted by the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (T), Chief Conservator of Forests (T) and two supervisory level officers viz., Conservator of Forests (T), Shillong and Conservator of Forests (T), Tura, who supervises and control officers in the rank of Divisional Forest Officers in-charge of Territorial Divisions. There are 6 (Six) Territorial Divisions viz.,

Activities:-
The major activities being undertaken by the Territorial Circle are as follows:-

1. Protection of Reserved and Protected Forests from biotic and abiotic pressure.
2. Management of RF/PFs as per approved Working Plans
3. Creation of Plantations within RFs and PFs.
4. Maintenance of  forest nurseries to meet demand of seedlings from public.
5. Implementation of Acts and Rules Viz.  Meghalaya Forest Regulation Act, 1973;Meghalaya Tree Preservation Act, 1976; Meghalaya Forest (Removal of Timber) Regulation Act, 1981; Forest Conservation Act,1980;Meghalaya Tree Felling (Non ForestArea) Rules,2006; Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2016etc.
6. Implementation of the Orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and National Green Tribunal in matters related with the conservation of forests and environment.
7. Regulation of felling of trees in private and community forests as per approved working schemes.
8. Granting mining leases/quarry permits under Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2016 in respect of minor mineral specified in Schedule III.
9. Regulation of establishment and working of wood based industries Viz. Saw mills, Furniture units and Timber Depot.
10. Issuing NOC/Non-forest certificate for projects, mining, Roads, constructions, stone crusher, furniture units, extraction of minor minerals and various projects
11. Processing project proposals for diversion of forest land under FC Act, 1980.
12. Regulation and control of transit of forest produces within and outsidethe State.
13. Regulation of functioning of Ferro-alloy industriesas per Meghalaya Charcoal Rules, 2006.
14. Collection of Forest Royalty and Transit Fee from forest produce/ minor minerals.
15. Co-ordinating with District Administration/Police for smooth administration of Forest Laws especially illicit felling of trees and closure of illegal saw-mills.
16. Processing of Forest Offence Reports to Judiciary for issue of process.
17. Dealingwith court cases on matters related to forest protection e.g. cases against illegal felling, cases against illegal saw mills, cases against encroachment etc.
18. Facilitating clearing wind fallen trees on road to ease the traffic jam and facilitating cutting of dangerous trees in Government offices and Government land

Reserved & Protected Forest

List of Reserved Forests in Meghaya

Protected Forests in Meghalaya

Non Forest Land transferred to the Forest Department for raising Compensatory Afforestation  and exchanged lands

Forest area under direct control of Forests & Environment Department

Particular	Area (Sq.km.)
Reserved Forests	626.55
Protected Forests	12.39
National Parks (including proposed)	399.48
Wildlife Sanctuary (including proposed)	100.74
Non-Forest Land transferred to the Department and Exchanged lands	3.08
Parks and Gardens	2.95
Total	1145.19