Project
Khasi Hills

Restoration approaches:

  • Assisted natural regeneration
  • Enrichment planting

Goals:

  • Restore native forest
  • Promote economic development
  • Build livelihood resilience
  • Conserve biodiversity

Discover more on WeForest’s website


Why is intervention needed?

The Khasi people are traditionally a forest-dependent community, using the native cloud forest for shelter, firewood, medicine, food and even for spiritual traditions. Meghalaya state, or "the abode of clouds" in Sanskrit, is of international importance, recognized as one of the wettest places on earth and a biodiversity hotspot. However, the area and the communities are now at risk as the forest is being cleared by charcoal production, stone quarrying and animal grazing.


Ecological restoration

WeForest partners with indigenous governments and Khasi villages to restore the forests, using methods like Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) and enrichment planting. The local communities play a key role in the restoration: they manage the tree nurseries, perform the required thinning and weeding, establish the natural fire lines, and delimit the no-go zones to protect the forest from animal grazing and human interference.


Livelihood development

By supporting self-help groups and farmer’s clubs, WeForest empowers them to tackle poverty, unsustainable forest exploitation and to take ownership in restoring their forests. This is done through training and financial support for ecotourism initiatives, animal husbandry, tree nurseries and subsidies for fuel efficient cooking stoves to encourage a reduction in fuelwood consumption.

Direct employment opportunities are created for regional community facilitators, forestry managers, accountants, project assistants and others. The Khasi are one of the world’s few matrilineal societies, so women are well represented in the project.