Forest

The State is basically an agricultural State. It has a total geographical area of 22,429 sq. kms. with a population of 17,74,778 (as per the 1991 Census). The total estimated forest area of the State is 8,514 sq. kms. of which only 722.36 sq. kms. are directly under the control of the State Forest Department. The remaining areas are managed by the respective District Councils of Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills as per provisions of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India.
Except the reserved forest areas and protected forests in and around Shillong (being managed by the department in arrangement with the District Councils), the rest of the forest areas are subjected to the primitive agricultural practice of shifting cultivation or slash and burn method especially in Garo Hills. However, there are few pockets of undisturbed natural forests still in existence, comprising about 1000 sq. kms. being protected by the tribals as 'Sacred Groves'. Essentially they are located in strategic watershades and still play an important role.
The State, however, contain areas of very beautiful scenery with evergreen forests and waterfalls as well as areas of unique floral and faunal varieties. The reserve forests are managed under prescriptions of the working plan prepared for such forests by the Working Plan Unit of the Department. The protected forests are managed for preservation of the catchment areas of water sources.
The forests, which are not reserved forests are managed by the respective Councils. Under them, they have three kinds of forests, the old unclassed state forests which are directly under their control, the forests owned by the clans or communities and the private forests. For the and third categories, the District Councils have very little control except for collection of royalty when they export the timber outside their own area for trade.