Community composition and soil properties were studied in regenerating pine and broadleaved forest ecosystems in north-east India. Pinus kesiya was the only tree species in the pine forest. In the broadleaved forest, number and diversity of tree species increased with the age of the stand. Grasses and early stages of succession. In the pine forest, seedling density (22 000-694 000 ha-1) showed an increasing trend with stand age, while in the broadleaved forest, it was maximum in the 7-year old regrowth (66 000 ha-1), then it declined with the progression of vegetation recovery. The rate of secondary succession was faster until 13 years in the broadleaved forest, while, the pine forest regenerated at a constant rate at least up to 16 years. Soil pH decreased with the increase of organic matter content in soil during the progression of vegetation recovery in both pine and broadleaved forests. Soil organic matter, N and P concentrations were lower in the pine forest, as compared to those in the broadleaved forest. Thus, it may be hypothesised that the recovery of soil fertility in the disturbed forest communities is closely associated with the vegetation development and its type vis-a-vis detrital input and accumulation.