Prelims facts, Mains analysis and current-affairs linkage
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma launched GREEN Meghalaya Plus in Tura as an expanded Payment for Ecosystem Services programme. It provides incentives to co
Why in News
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma launched GREEN Meghalaya Plus in Tura as an expanded Payment for Ecosystem Services programme. It provides incentives to communities and individuals that conserve eligible natural forests.
What Happened
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma launched GREEN Meghalaya Plus in Tura as an expanded Payment for Ecosystem Services programme. It provides incentives to communities and individuals that conserve eligible natural forests. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Kongkal Sangma launched the GREEN (Grassroot level Response Towards Ecosystem Enhancement and Nurturing) Meghalaya Plus (GMP) Scheme in Tura, West Garo Hills District. This scheme provides financial incentives of up to Rs 20,000 per hectare annually to communities and individuals involved in forest conservation. This initiative reflects the government's strong commitment to sustainable development and environmental preservation. The scheme works through eco-friendly development projects to fight climate change, preserve biodiversity and improve the livelihoods of local communities.
The state government has allocated Rs 200 crore for future forest conservation activities. The guidelines have been updated, reducing the minimum land requirement from 2 hectares to 1 hectare, allowing smaller landowners and communities to participate, and thus making the program more inclusive. Additionally, an additional reward of Rs 5,000 per hectare is available for community reserve areas and Rs 2,000 per hectare for sacred trees located in very dense forests or eco-sensitive areas.
Background
Meghalaya lies within the biologically rich hills of Northeast India, a region linked to the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. High rainfall, limestone caves, subtropical forests, fast-flowing streams and sharp altitudinal variation create many small and isolated habitats. Such habitat diversity promotes endemism, meaning that a species may be restricted to a very small geographical area. Scientific discoveries become meaningful only after formal taxonomic work. Researchers compare morphology, habitat, behaviour and, increasingly, DNA sequences; deposit specimens in recognised collections; and publish the description in a peer-reviewed journal. A new-species report should therefore be distinguished from an unverified sighting or a social-media claim.
Key Features and Important Details
- Date / period – 1 October 2024
- Theme – Environment & Biodiversity
- Core Meghalaya link – GREEN Meghalaya Plus Scheme Launched for Community Forest Conservation
- Verification result – Verified with launch-date correction
Significance for Meghalaya
The development is important for Meghalaya because it reinforces the state's status as a centre of biological diversity and scientific discovery. It also shows why small habitats – a cave stream, an urban forest patch, a hillside shrub zone or a community-managed forest – can have national conservation value. Documentation should lead to habitat assessment, local awareness and carefully designed conservation rather than collection pressure or unregulated tourism.
National and Constitutional Context
Connect the species or ecosystem with taxonomy, endemicity, biodiversity hotspots, conservation methods, protected-area categories and the responsible scientific institution. Learn the scientific name exactly. From an examination perspective, biodiversity news should be connected with habitat protection, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, ex-situ and in-situ conservation, biodiversity hotspots, community reserves, sacred groves and the role of institutions such as the Zoological Survey of India, Botanical Survey of India and research universities.
Challenges and Way Forward
The main challenge is to protect habitats while allowing local livelihoods and development. Meghalaya needs stronger field monitoring, community participation, scientific documentation and timely action against habitat loss and pollution.
Important Facts for Prelims
- Date / period – 1 October 2024
- Theme – Environment & Biodiversity
- Core Meghalaya link – GREEN Meghalaya Plus Scheme Launched for Community Forest Conservation
- Verification result – Verified with launch-date correction
Mains Relevance
Connect the species or ecosystem with taxonomy, endemicity, biodiversity hotspots, conservation methods, protected-area categories and the responsible scientific institution. Learn the scientific name exactly. From an examination perspective, biodiversity news should be connected with habitat protection, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, ex-situ and in-situ conservation, biodiversity hotspots, community reserves, sacred groves and the role of institutions such as the Zoological Survey of India, Botanical Survey of India and research universities.
Practice Questions
Practice MCQ
Question: With reference to GREEN Meghalaya Plus Scheme Launched for Community Forest Conservation, consider the following statements:
- It is directly connected with Meghalaya.
- Its wider relevance can be linked with the category mentioned in this article.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2.
Mains Question
Explain the importance of GREEN Meghalaya Plus Scheme Launched for Community Forest Conservation for Meghalaya. Discuss the main implementation challenges and suggest a practical way forward.
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