The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) in Meghalaya has strongly opposed the construction of an integrated cement plant by Shree Cement Limited in Daistong village, East Jaintia Hills. The organization has demanded the immediate cancellation of the project, citing concerns over its potential impact on the environment, agriculture, and indigenous livelihoods. According to HITO president Donbok Dkhar, the project poses an “imminent and irreversible threat” to the paddy fields, water sources, and traditional livelihoods of the local people.
HITO has submitted a memorandum to the Union Environment Minister, stating that the project is fundamentally incompatible with the agrarian landscape of the region. The organization has pointed out that the proposed site is located just 0.82-1.4 kilometers from Daistong village, surrounded by nutrient-rich agricultural lands and active paddy fields that rely on local water sources. The cement plant is expected to generate continuous stack emissions and fugitive dust, which will contaminate the soil, reduce crop yields, and strain the already fragile water system.
Donbok Dkhar has emphasized that HITO is not against development, but against destruction. He argued that development cannot be forced upon people without considering the potential consequences, and that public trust cannot be undermined by clearances from high-ranking officials. The organization has warned that it will not allow the cement plant to be constructed in Daistong, and has called for the project to be scrapped without delay.
The proposed cement plant has sparked concerns among local residents, who fear that it will destroy their livelihoods and damage the environment. HITO’s opposition to the project highlights the need for careful consideration and consultation with local communities before undertaking large-scale development projects. The organization’s demands have sparked a debate about the balance between development and environmental protection, and the need to prioritize the well-being of indigenous communities and the environment.