The USMT Meghalaya forest land case has sparked controversy after a Supreme Court-appointed committee reported that the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USMT) in Ri-Bhoi district was built on 25 hectares of forest land without central clearance. The findings have triggered fresh political debates, especially after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the university of worsening floods in nearby Assam.
SC Committee Flags Forest Law Violations
The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) investigated the USMT campus following complaints of environmental violations. Its report stated that the university’s construction activities covered large tracts of forest land without approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
The panel highlighted that the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 requires prior permission for any non-forest use of forest land. In this case, approval was not obtained. The committee urged strict enforcement of forest law but also noted that educational activity should not be disrupted abruptly.
The committee urged strict enforcement of forest law but also noted that educational activity should not be disrupted abruptly.
Political Storm After Assam CM’s Remarks
The report gained sharper attention after Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma accused USMT of worsening flooding in Assam’s downstream areas. Sarma claimed that large-scale construction and land alteration by the university interfered with natural water flow, aggravating floods in parts of Assam’s Kamrup district.
His remarks drew mixed reactions. Meghalaya political leaders argued that Sarma was politicizing the issue and that inter-state concerns should be addressed through dialogue, not blame.
USMT, meanwhile, has denied any wrongdoing. The university management maintained that the institution was established with state clearances and that they were cooperating with authorities to address environmental concerns.
Local Voices and Environmental Concerns
Environmental activists in Meghalaya and Assam have welcomed the CEC’s report, stating that it highlights a larger problem of infrastructure projects violating ecological norms in the Northeast.
“USMT is not the only case. The region’s fragile ecosystem has repeatedly come under stress due to construction without adequate safeguards,” said a member of a Shillong-based green group.
Locals also fear that unchecked development could lead to landslides, water scarcity, and more intense flooding across state borders.
Meghalaya Government’s Position
The Meghalaya government has so far refrained from taking a strong public stance, noting that the matter is sub judice. Officials, however, confirmed that they are reviewing the CEC’s findings.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has reportedly assured that his government would cooperate with central agencies and the judiciary to resolve the matter fairly. Sangma also emphasised that Meghalaya remains committed to both higher education development and environmental protection.
What Happens Next?
The Supreme Court is expected to hear the case soon. Based on the CEC report, the Court may:
- Penalize USMT for violating the Forest (Conservation) Act.
- Order compensatory afforestation in other areas.
- Stop further expansion until proper approvals are secured.
Experts believe the judgment could set a strong precedent for projects in forest areas across the Northeast.
A Regional Issue With Wider Implications
The case comes at a time when the Northeast is witnessing rapid urbanisation and infrastructure growth under the Act East Policy. Experts caution that projects must comply with environmental safeguards, especially in ecologically sensitive zones.
Observers note that the controversy could also test Assam-Meghalaya relations, which have seen both cooperation and friction over border disputes in recent years.
Balancing Education and Ecology
The USMT Meghalaya forest land case underlines the urgent need to strike a balance between development and ecology. While the Northeast requires better infrastructure and universities, forest protection remains crucial.
For now, students, educators, and environmentalists alike await clarity, while the issue fuels political debates in both Meghalaya and Assam.
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