Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has distributed cheques to community leaders and individuals in the state under the state’s Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) scheme on the occasion of World Environment Day.
Taking to Twitter, Sangma said on June 6, “Distributed cheques to community leaders & individuals of Khasi, Jaiñtia & Ri Bhoi Districts under #GreenMeghalaya or the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) Scheme. PES is a one of a kind scheme which provisions financial support to villages, communities, clans & individuals for conservation of forests & its natural resources in Meghalaya.”
The Green Meghalaya scheme is meant to support villages, communities, clans or individuals that commit to conserving and protecting forests for a minimum period of 30 years. Villages, communities, clans or individuals that have a minimum of 2 Hectares of natural forest are eligible under this scheme, according to the state government website.
PES scheme was launched on June 13, 2022. Under this scheme, the government will provide financial support of Rs 8,000 per hectare per year for five years. An additional amount of Rs 5,000 per hectare per year will also be given to those natural forests which are already registered with the Forest Department as community reserves. Additionally, Rs 2,000 per hectare per year will be given to those with very dense forests or those with traditional recognised sacred groves.
ALSO READ: Meghalaya Cabinet nod to CM’s Solar Mission
FIRST Business Portal addressing the potential of business capability of North East Region.
