Guwahati, April 27 -- The Centre has launched a five-year biodiversity programme in Meghalaya, centred on the Garo Hills region with a focus on local involvement and community-level decision-making.

The initiative is being implemented by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change along with the National Biodiversity Authority. It is funded by the Global Environment Facility and the United Nations Development Programme, with financial support of over Rs 40 crore. Tamil Nadu has also been selected as another area for implementation.

Officials said the work will cover major biodiversity locations such as Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, Balpakram National Park and Siju Wildlife Sanctuary, where forest areas overlap with lands ma...