Sacred Forests of Meghalaya Documentary by Minnie Vaid Community Forestry International

Phrosila Kharsiing of Mawphlang village, who will be a 100 years old in a few months, reminiscences the simpler times in the golden bygone days when rituals were sacred, traditions were sacred and forests were sacred. She further adds that before, forests were thick but now due to the excessive cutting of trees, the forests are no longer dense as they were used to be, translates Fenis Kharshiing , daughter of Phrosila Kharsiing. Demands of modernization increased consumerism and population pressures the forest is seen by many as a short-term commodity to be exploited rather than a valuable resource to be protected and sustainably managed. The Revival campaign for conserving natural resources by integrating traditional and contemporary practices in Meghalaya is fast gaining ground and credibility information about the total loss of sacred clan community and reserved forests in the state is scanty since many of the forests have not been mapped classified or formally registered since 92 percent of Meghalaya forests are community-owned Grassroots governance is very much the order of the day. The stories from Mawphlang and Umden illustrate how communities can protect their watersheds and biodiversity by revitalizing their culture and institutions in this way the rich ecology and remarkable cultural traditions of Northeast India may be sustained for future Generations. The giant megaliths are the silent witnesses to changing times changing forests and changing cultures as the communities of the Northeast adapt themselves to the 21st century many of their values and traditions remain unchanged and undisturbed a constant reminder to every Khasi of the wisdom learned at their mother's heart.