TreeSisters Planting Projects
Khasi Hills, India - Completed
In Partnership with WeForest
An introduction to the Khasi Hills project courtesy of WeForest.
This is the first project that TreeSisters has completed!
Location: Eastern States of Meghalaya, Khasi Hills, India
Please note this is our first completed project that ended in 2019.
The Khasi Hills are located in what has been described as the wettest place on Earth, the Meghalaya ecoregion. The area is characterized by a rich biodiversity, home to sacred forests, ancient stone monoliths and Khasi indigenous communities. It is also under threat from deforestation and degradation.
This project seeks to combat deforestation and restore the area's forests for the benefit of people and nature. Through assisted natural regeneration of Khasi peoples' lands, sustainable livelihood development, and strong measures to limit further degradation to the forest, the Khasi's biodiversity and communities can flourish together. The project also seeks to have more women playing an increasing role in the community's organization while they are not represented at the local parliaments. More than 110 mammal species are known from the Meghalaya Subtropical Forests, including three threatened species - clouded leopard, sloth bear, and smooth-coated otter. It is one of the few reforestation projects worldwide run by indigenous communities.
Photos of the Khasi Hills, India project courtesy of WeForest
~ Women of Khasi Hills
~ Mature forest in Khasi Hills
~ This frog is one of the many unique species in this region
~ Sacred monoliths in the forested hills are of cultural significance to the Khasi people
~ A Khasi Hills woman in traditional clothing standing next to saplings
(Photos will change every few seconds or you can scroll with the small arrows on each side.)
The Meghalaya is not only a highly valuable biological and ecological forest, it is also inhabited by outstanding indigenous tribes with high social or cultural values, namely the Khasi tribe, who are the most represented, as well as the Jaintia and the Garo tribes. Traditionally, property and tribal office is passed down through the female line, mother to youngest daughter, though the management has been in the hands of the men and increased conversion to Christianity impacts these traditions. These tribes have been governing the forest lands held by centuries-old, traditional forest management system.
Want to know more about this project? Please click below for more information.
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Here
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