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Meghalaya Identifies Over 3.4 Lakh Hectares of Cultivable Wasteland
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News18•19-10-2026, 08:45
Meghalaya Identifies Over 3.4 Lakh Hectares of Cultivable Wasteland
- •A recent study using satellite imagery and GIS technology identified over 3.4 lakh hectares of cultivable wasteland in Meghalaya, making up 15.2 per cent of the state's geographical area.
- •The research was published in the Journal of Geography, Environment and Earth Science International by experts from North-Eastern Hill University and the North Eastern Space Applications Centre.
- •Sparse scrubland covers the largest share at over 2 lakh hectares, followed by dense scrubland, shifting cultivation areas, and grasslands.
- •Researchers emphasized that the identified lands require further field verification, soil assessment, and economic feasibility checks before any agricultural reclamation takes place.
Key Questions Answered
A recent study using satellite imagery and GIS technology identified over 3.4 lakh hectares, specifically 3,40,673.36 hectares, of cultivable wasteland in Meghalaya. This accounts for about 15.2 per cent of the state's total geographical area.
Sparse scrubland accounts for the largest share at 2,06,595.18 hectares, which is 60.64 per cent of the identified area, and received the highest relative reclamation priority score of 95 out of 100.
The research was conducted by Ronak Meena, Chandan Goswami, C P Suresh, and Akmaul Hoque, who are associated with the Department of Horticulture at North-Eastern Hill University, Tura, and the North Eastern Space Applications Centre in Umiam.
