Villagers Cry Foul Over Eco-Tourism Project at Nongkhyllem
Seven villages around the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary in Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya, have unanimously opposed a Rs 23.60 crore eco-tourism project, citing lack of consultation and threats to the fragile ecosystem.
In a resolute show of unity, seven villages surrounding the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district have put their collective foot down against a proposed eco-tourism project, voicing grave concerns over its potential impact on the fragile ecosystem they have guarded for generations. The project, pegged at a staggering Rs 23.60 crore and awarded to E-Factor Experiences Ltd, has sparked widespread consternation among local communities who claim they were left completely in the dark.
The opposition was formalised during a solemn gathering of the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong (Raid Sohkhwai), a collective of village headmen from the region. There, the headmen minced no words in criticising the state’s Wildlife Department for riding roughshod over traditional decision-making structures and bypassing the very communities who have long served as de facto stewards of the sanctuary.
“It’s a slap in the face,” remarked one headman from Umladoh. “We’ve been tending to this land like it’s our own child. Now, suddenly, someone decides to roll in the diggers and build God knows what, without so much as a knock at the door. It’s simply not on.”
Concerns ranged from fears of increased pollution and long-term ecological degradation to a more fundamental question of principle: if locals themselves are restricted from accessing the sanctuary in order to preserve it, how can large-scale tourism be justified?
Villages like Umsohma echoed these sentiments, warning that once the sanctuary’s peace is disturbed, no amount of money or mitigation will restore it. “This isn’t just about a few concrete structures or fancy signboards,” one elder said. “It’s about the soul of the forest. And once that’s gone, it’s gone for good.”
The meeting concluded with a firm and unanimous signing of a document titled “Motion Against the Impending Rs. 23.60 Crore Infra Project at the Sanctuary.” Each headman present added his signature, signalling a clear and collective rejection of the project.
The villagers have called on the Government and environmental organisations to sit up and take notice—not just of their opposition, but of the longstanding role played by indigenous communities in preserving biodiversity. “If this project goes ahead, it will be a case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater,” said one local leader. “Eco-tourism without eco-justice is nothing more than a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
With tensions running high and public sentiment clearly against the proposal, all eyes are now on the authorities to see whether they will dig in their heels or heed the voices of those who have lived in harmony with the Nongkhyllem sanctuary for centuries. One thing is certain: the villagers are not going quietly, and they won’t be brushed aside. Not this time.
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