Land ownership, administration & status of forests of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council of Meghalaya

The article published in NeBIO-An International Journal of Environment and Biodiversity highlights the complicated classifications of land ownership in Khasi Hills viz., private land, group or clan land, community land and government land. The paper discussed around land ownership patterns of Khasi, Forest Administration, types of forest under the jurisdiction of the district councils, traditional administrative institutions of the Khasi Hills, Forest type and different land uses including their management and control by government and the district council and community land governance systems in Khasi Hills. It also further highlights three different types of forest under district council viz., old un-classed state forest, clan or community forest and private forest and their further sub categories. It highlights the role of traditional political institutions of the Khasi hills and village headmen and their continued exercise of influence over various activities.