Kyelleng-Pyndengsohiong, Mawthabah (KPM) uranium mining project is located in the West Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya state in the North East region of India. Formerly this project was also known as Domiasiat uranium mining project. The Atomic Mineral Directorate for Exploration and Research in 1972 found evidences of uranium deposits in the area which was confirmed by 1996 after intensive drilling between 1992 and 1996. Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) proposes to mine it using open pit mining method up to a depth of 45 m. The processing plant will be constructed at Mawthabah. It is estimated that KPM deposit in Meghalaya will last for 25 years. |
Description:
Basic Data
| Name of conflict: | Uranium Mining in Meghalaya, India |
| Country: | India |
| State or province: | Meghalaya |
| Location of conflict: | West Khasi Hills |
| Accuracy of location | HIGH (Local level) |
Source of Conflict
| Type of conflict. 1st level: | Nuclear |
| Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Uranium extraction |
| Specific commodities: | Uranium |
Project Details and Actors
| Project details | Meghalaya is the third uranium rich state in the country after Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh. The state accounts for 16 per cent of Indias uranium reserves, with deposits estimated to be around 9,500 tones and 4,000 tones respectively at Domiasiat and Wakhyn, both in West Khasi hills region. |
| Project area: | 422 |
| Level of Investment for the conflictive project | 1,390,125,000.00 USD |
| Type of population | Rural |
| Affected Population: | 30000 |
| Start of the conflict: | 2000 |
| Company names or state enterprises: | Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) from India |
| Relevant government actors: | Meghalaya government, Chief Minister office, Atomic Mineral Directorate for Exploration and Research |
| Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | Khasi Students Union (KSU) |
Conflict & Mobilization
| Intensity | MEDIUM (street protests, visible mobilization) |
| Reaction stage | In REACTION to the implementation (during construction or operation) |
| Groups mobilizing: | Indigenous groups or traditional communities Local ejos Neighbours/citizens/communities Social movements Khasi Students Union (KSU) |
| Forms of mobilization: | Strikes KSU opposed uranium mining proposal on the ground that it would degrade environment and precipitate health hazards in and around the mines. KSU would not let the UCIL to undertake mining until and unless its concerns are fully addressed. |
Impacts
| Environmental Impacts | Visible: Air pollution, Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Genetic contamination, Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Soil contamination, Soil erosion, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality, Groundwater pollution or depletion, Large-scale disturbance of hydro and geological systems, Reduced ecological / hydrological connectivity, Mine tailing spills |
| Health Impacts | Visible: Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…), Other environmental related diseases |
| Socio-economical Impacts | Visible: Displacement, Increase in violence and crime, Loss of livelihood, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Land dispossession, Loss of landscape/sense of place |
| Other socio-economic impacts | The project will bring large number of people from outside the state who remain alien to the language and culture of local indigenous Khasi tribal population thus posing serious damage not only to the local demography but also to their culture to which the group is very protective. |
Outcome
| Project Status | Proposed (exploration phase) |
| Conflict outcome / response: | Compensation Environmental improvements, rehabilitation/restoration of area Negotiated alternative solution Under negotiation |
| Proposal and development of alternatives: | Opponents question the very meaning of development and what kind of development the region wants and needs. |
| Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | Not Sure |
| Briefly explain: | The proposal for a uranium mining project in Meghalaya has been the subject of a raging debate ever since the idea was first mooted. Over the years, the project has attracted strong opposition from the indigenous people of the state, student bodies, activists, and environmentalists. The public debate has justifiably focused on the health hazards associated with uranium mining. However, the social, cultural, and political fallouts of the project might well be just as important. |
Sources & Materials
| Juridical relevant texts related to the conflict (laws, legislations, EIAs, etc) |
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| References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries |
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| Related media links to videos, campaigns, social network |
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Meta information
| Contributor: | Swapan Kumar Patra |
| Last update | 18/08/2019 |
| Conflict ID: | 933 |
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