Meghalaya Basin Development Authority

03/10/2026

🎙️ Stories from the Block — Season 2, Episode 1
We’re back with a new season of Stories from the Block!

In our Season 2 premiere, we sit down with guests from the Meghalaya State Bamboo Mission to explore the world of bamboo — its potential, the people working behind the scenes, and how this remarkable resource is shaping livelihoods and communities in Meghalaya.

Click here to watch the full video:
https://youtu.be/Gv5h33DwEB0

01/10/2026

The Workshop on Carbon Credits from Regenerative Agriculture in Meghalaya, held on 01 October 2026, focused on bridging the gap between carbon market requirements, MRV technologies and local farming practices. The workshop aimed to build stakeholder capacity for developing viable pilot carbon projects, establish processes for preparing Project Design Documents (PDDs) for agricultural carbon projects, promote regenerative practices such as cover cropping, reduced tillage, organic amendments and agroforestry, and enhance understanding of carbon finance mechanisms to generate additional financial incentives for farmers.

28/09/2026

The team, MBMA, conducted hands-on training for field staff working in the Garo region to strengthen their skills in maintaining cocoa plants raised under the AGF Model 16. The session at Kharkutta Baptist Church was followed by a practical field demonstration at Karamajipara Village, focusing on key cocoa maintenance practices.

28/09/2026

SPMU team visited Rongbeta, Umden Nongtluh, Nongrim Umksih and Laitmynsang to brief VPIC members and inspect interventions ahead of the Mid-Term Evaluation (MTE), while visits to the East Garo Hills and East Jaintia Hills DPMUs focused on Mid-Term Review (MTR) preparations and progress reviews.

28/09/2026

The SLM Team conducted a field tour across the Garo Hills Region from 24–26 September 2026 as part of the preparations for the upcoming KfW visit.

The tour included a visit to Chapahati Prime Hub, South Garo Hills (SGH) for inspection and preparatory activities. This was followed by a meeting at SMELC, Tura, with all staff of the Garo Hills Region in the presence of DPD Shri J. J. Momin, SLM. An orientation session was subsequently conducted for the newly assigned staff, covering their roles, responsibilities, and key project activities.

The team also visited Ajigre IVCS, Chudoang IVCS, and Rongtenabak to inspect Internal Control System (ICS) activities, particularly those related to NPOP certification, along with the storage facilities and cashew nut demonstration plots. These inspections were carried out to ensure preparedness for the upcoming KfW visit.

Further field inspections were conducted at Jamge, Bolchurani, Durama Chikama, Silchang, and Gabil Rongmil IVCS in East Garo Hills (EGH). The team assessed CMC storage facilities, irrigation infrastructure, and Prime Hubs as part of the continued preparations for the upcoming KfW visit.

The field tour provided an opportunity to review ongoing activities, inspect key infrastructure and facilities, orient newly assigned staff, and strengthen overall preparedness across the Garo Hills Region.

25/09/2026

That’s a wrap on Season 1 of Stories from the Block!

This season has been an incredible journey into the heart of grassroots voices, environmental conservation, and human empowerment across Meghalaya. We’ve listened to stories that don’t just speak—they truly inspire.Here’s a quick look back at some of our favorite moments, powerful insights, and the unforgettable people who make our communities what they are.

Thank you for listening, learning, and growing with us this season!

25/09/2026

The Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) organised a State-level FOCUS+ programme on 22 September 2026 at the U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong, simultaneously with a programme in Tura.

With ₹28.60 crore released, FOCUS+ has now reached 1,14,400 farming households across Meghalaya, including 9,070 newly added beneficiaries.

Under FOCUS+, each eligible household receives an annual untied grant of ₹5,000, provided in two instalments of ₹2,500 through Direct Benefit Transfer. The support can be used for farming and other production-related needs, including seedlings, saplings, manure and fertilisers.

The programme featured beneficiary experience-sharing, cheque distribution and cultural presentations, highlighting how direct financial support is helping farmers strengthen and expand their livelihoods.

FOCUS+ continues to support farming households across Meghalaya by providing direct assistance to invest in their agricultural and production activities.

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22/09/2026

A significant programme was held today in Tura, highlighting the importance of protecting the Ganol and Umiew catchment areas, which are vital for the long-term water security of Tura and Shillong.
In his welcome address, Shri Sampath Kumar, IAS, Chief Project Director, MegARISE & Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya, highlighted the collaborative efforts of the and – German Development Bank under the Project to protect these critical catchments and mobilise communities those villages.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Conrad K Sangma highlighted as a ₹344-crore initiative focused on catchment protection, restoration, sustainable livelihoods and climate resilience. He also emphasised the growing importance of protecting natural resources in view of changing rainfall patterns and the impacts of climate change.
The programme also marked an important milestone with the signing of the MoU under the Meghalaya Protection of Catchment Areas Act, 1990, described as a historic step towards strengthening catchment protection in the State.
Recognising Community Leadership
The programme also witnessed the distribution of awards and support under , including:
* Outstanding VPIC Awards
* Community Leadership Awards
* Soil & Water Conservation Awards
* Environment Protection & Restoration Awards
* VLMAP implementation funds
The event also featured the flagging-off of support for SHGs under and the distribution of Plus cheques.

22/09/2026