Shillong: The Centre’s recent decision to exempt uranium mining from mandatory public consultations has reignited fears among tribal communities in Meghalaya, where opposition to such projects has remained strong for decades.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), through an Office Memorandum issued on September 8, removed public hearing requirements for mining atomic, critical, and strategic minerals under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act.
The move is being seen by local groups as a fresh push to extract uranium from the state’s rich reserves in Domiasiat, Wahkaji, and surrounding areas of West Khasi Hills.
Tribal organisations swiftly voiced their objections.
The National People’s Youth Front (NPYF) met Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Chief Executive Member Shemborlang Rynjah, urging him to invoke the Sixth Schedule to safeguard indigenous rights.
NPYF working president Bajop Pyngrope said Rynjah assured them the issue would be examined by Council officials.
The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) also raised alarm, alleging renewed attempts to revive uranium mining despite past failures of the Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) due to intense community resistance.
Echoing this, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), a long-standing opponent of uranium projects, condemned the Centre’s exemption as an attack on tribal rights.
KSU president Lambok Marngar warned that any move to reopen mining efforts would face stronger opposition.
For over 20 years, successive proposals to exploit Meghalaya’s uranium deposits have stalled amid concerns over health risks, environmental damage, and violations of tribal land rights.
