To:
The Honorable Chief Minister of Assam,
Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma,
Chief Minister's Office,
Dispur, Guwahati, Assam - 781006
Cc:
The Honorable Governor of Assam, Raj Bhavan, Guwahati
The Chief Executive Member, North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), Haflong, Dima Hasao
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India
The Gauhati High Court (for reference to ongoing proceedings)
Date: August 23, 2025
Subject: Urgent Petition Demanding the Immediate Revocation of the Allocation of 3,000 Bighas of Eco-Zoned Tribal Land in Dima Hasao to Mahabal Cement Pvt. Ltd. to Safeguard Indigenous Rights, Biodiversity, and Environmental Integrity
Dear Honorable Chief Minister,
We, the undersigned citizens, environmentalists, indigenous rights advocates, and concerned stakeholders from across India, hereby submit this petition to express our profound opposition to the Assam Government's decision to allocate approximately 3,000 bighas (equivalent to about 991 acres or 4 square kilometers) of eco-sensitive tribal land in Dima Hasao district to Mahabal Cement Pvt. Ltd. for the establishment of a cement plant and associated mining activities. This allocation, made by the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) in October and November 2024, represents a grave threat to the region's rich natural resources, diverse flora and fauna, and the livelihoods of indigenous tribal communities.
Dima Hasao, a hill district in Assam governed under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, is renowned for its unparalleled biodiversity and ecological significance. The area, particularly around Umrangso where the land has been allotted, serves as an environmental hotspot featuring hot springs, dense forests, habitats for migratory birds, and a wide array of wildlife. This region supports unique ecosystems that include rare plant species, endangered animals, and traditional shifting cultivation (jhum) practices integral to the cultural heritage of local tribes such as the Dimasa people. The flora and fauna here are not merely resources but the lifeblood of the ecosystem, providing essential services like water regulation, soil conservation, and carbon sequestration that benefit the entire state and beyond.
The proposed cement plant, backed by an MoU signed in February 2025 for an investment of ₹11,000 crore, involves extensive mining and industrial operations that would irreversibly damage this fragile environment. Cement production and limestone mining are known to cause deforestation, soil erosion, air and water pollution, and habitat fragmentation, leading to the loss of biodiversity. In a region already vulnerable to climate change and ecological degradation, such activities could decimate local flora like endemic orchids and medicinal plants, disrupt migratory bird routes, and endanger species such as the clouded leopard, hoolock gibbon, and various reptiles and amphibians that thrive in Dima Hasao's forests.Moreover, the land in question has been used for generations by tribal communities for jhum cultivation, and its sudden clearance by heavy machinery has already sparked local outrage, highlighting the coercive nature of this displacement.
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This allocation not only violates the spirit of the Sixth Schedule, which prioritizes the rights and interests of tribal populations, but also contravenes environmental protections under laws such as the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. The Gauhati High Court, in its hearing on August 12, 2025, expressed shock at the scale of the allotment, questioning whether it was "some kind of joke" and emphasizing that public interest, not private corporate gains, must prevail in such decisions. The Court's directive for the NCHAC to produce records of the allotment policy by September 1, 2025, underscores the procedural irregularities and lack of transparency in this process. We echo the Court's concerns and demand accountability for what appears to be a prioritization of industrial development over ecological and human rights.
The environmental cost of this project is incalculable. Dima Hasao's forests act as a critical buffer against landslides and floods, which are frequent in the region. Industrial pollution from cement manufacturing could contaminate local water sources, including the hot springs that hold cultural and medicinal value for tribes, and exacerbate air quality issues in an area already impacted by existing quarrying. Furthermore, the displacement of tribal communities threatens their socio-economic fabric, as they rely on the land for sustenance, cultural practices, and identity. This move sets a dangerous precedent for further encroachments on eco-zoned lands across India's Northeast, a biodiversity hotspot that must be protected at all costs.
Our Demands:
Immediate Revocation of the Land Allocation: Cancel the 30-year lease granted to Mahabal Cement Pvt. Ltd. for the 3,000 bighas of land near New Longku Kro village in Umrangso, and restore the land to its original tribal custodians.
etvbharat.com
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Conduct a comprehensive, independent EIA before any future industrial proposals in Dima Hasao, involving local communities and experts to evaluate risks to flora, fauna, and ecosystems.
Protection of Tribal Rights: Enforce strict adherence to the Sixth Schedule provisions, ensuring no land is allotted without free, prior, and informed consent from affected tribal councils and communities.
Moratorium on Industrial Projects in Eco-Sensitive Zones: Impose a moratorium on mining and heavy industries in Dima Hasao's environmentally sensitive areas to preserve its natural heritage.
Accountability and Transparency: Investigate the allotment process for any irregularities, as highlighted by the Gauhati High Court, and make all related documents public.
Restoration Efforts: Initiate reforestation and conservation programs in the affected areas to mitigate any existing damage from preliminary site preparations.
We urge the Assam Government to heed the voices of the people, the judiciary, and environmental experts by prioritizing sustainable development over short-term economic gains. The flora and fauna of Dima Hasao are irreplaceable treasures that belong to future generations, and their protection is non-negotiable. Failure to act will not only erode public trust but also invite further legal and social scrutiny.
This petition is supported by widespread public sentiment, as evidenced by ongoing protests, social media discussions, and political critiques highlighting the risks of such allocations. We call upon all concerned authorities to respond within 14 days and take immediate steps to revoke this harmful decision.