Shifting cultivation is widely prevalent in the state. In a study undertaken by FSI in 1999, it is estimated that about 0.18 million ha area has been affected by this practice during 1987-97. The area currently affected by shifting cultivation is estimated as 0.11 million ha.

The recorded forest area in the state is 0.95 million ha, which is 42.34 % of the geographic area. According to legal classification, Reserved Forests, Protected Forests and Unclassed Forests constitute 10.33%, 0.13% and 89.54% of the total forests, respectively. The control of Unclassed forests mostly rests with the Autonomous District Councils of Khasi hills, Jaintia hills and Garo hills.

The forests of Meghalaya are rich in bio diversity and endowed with rare species of orchids and medicinal plants. Major forest types found in the state are Subtropical Pine, Tropical Wet Evergreen, Tropical Semi-Evergreen, and Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests. Sacred groves mostly located in Khasi and Jaintia hills represent climax vegetation of the area. The state has 2 National Parks and 3 wildlife sanctuaries. The total area under protected area network is 0.03 million ha, which is 1.35% of the geographic area. Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is also located in the state. Meghalaya is among the states having the highest concentration of elephants in the country.

Government plantations outside forest areas were started since 1978 as a regular activity. Important afforestation schemes include rural fuelwood plantation, operation soil watch, decentralised nursery and environmental forestry.The forest cover based on satellite data of December, 1998 is 15,633 sq.km which is 69.70% of the total geographic area of the state. Dense forest extends to 5,925 sq.km and open forest to 9,708 sq. km. A comparison with the previous assessment reveals that there is net loss of 24 sq.km. The difference between the data period of the two assessments is about 5 years.

The change matrix reveals that there has been an overall increase of 1,881 sq.km of dense forest. This is the result of improvement of 1,877 sq. km. of open forest and 32 sq.km. of non forest. On the other hand there has been a degradation of 28 sq. km. of dense forest to open forest.

The decrease of 1905 sq. km. of open forest is on account of conversion of 1,877 sq.km of open forest to dense forest and 117 sq.km to non forest. The decrease is also associated with conversion of 28 sq. km. of dense forest, 51 sq. km. of scrub and 10 sq.km of non forest to open forest.