Shillong, July 29 -- Meghalaya has recorded the lowest compensatory afforestation coverage in the country, achieving only 22.3 per cent of its target, according to a report submitted by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to the Supreme Court earlier this month.

The state managed to plant just 114.56 hectares of land against a target of 514.76 hectares between 2019-20 and 2023-24, the report said. The CEC was appointed by the Supreme Court as part of monitoring and ensuring environmental compliance in the landmark TN Godavarman Thirumulpad vs Union of India (1995) case.

In contrast, Gujarat, Chandigarh, Mizoram, and Madhya Pradesh reported full achievement of their compensatory afforestation targets. Other poor performers included Tam...