Locals oppose Umngot Dam in Meghalaya

Notwithstanding the strong opposition from the local people to the proposed 210 Mw Umngot Hyrdoelectric project, the Meghalaya government is bent upon going ahead with it.

Last week, a large number of local people prevented the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) from conducting a public hearing on the project at Siangkhnai village in East Khasi Hills.

A huge congregation of residents of Umsawwar, Mawsir, Mawdulop, Ksangrngi, Jatah Nonglyer, Jatah Lakadong, Mawlong, Mawjatap and adjoining villages, under the banner of Ka Kynhun Ki Nongrep Harud Wah Umngot, prevented officers of Meghalaya Electric Company Limited (MECL), MSPCB and the district administration from going to Siangkhnai village for the public hearing.

The locals fear that if the project would cause irreparable losses by wiping out Shnongpdeng and Dawki from the tourism map, besides uprooting numerous villages on the lower slopes of the Umngot.

The project will affect 13 villages located in West Jaintia Hills and East Khasi Hills, and will submerge 296 hectares of land.

Residents of Nohron, Syntung, Jatah Nonglyer, Siangkhnai Nonghulew and some other villages are in favour of the mega dam project.

The Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress also voiced its opposition to the construction of mega dam on Umngot. Mahila Congress presiden, Joplyn Scott Shylla said that her organisation opposes the adamant attitude of the government and its authorities who want to go against the will of the communities and the population who understand their needs and livelihood better.