Villagers from Meghalaya’s Paromgre accuse their traditional headman of selling off land without consent for coal mining, threatening rivers and biodiversity near the Nokrek Reserve.
BY PC Bureau
July 23, 2025: Residents of Paromgre village in Meghalaya’s South Garo Hills have accused their traditional village head, the Nokma, of illegally selling ancestral clan land to coal businessman George S. Marak to pave the way for scientific coal mining. The move has sparked outrage among villagers, who say the transaction was made without the knowledge or consent of the Chras (clan members) of Paromgre A’king.
Located within the Chokpot C&RD Block, Paromgre sits just outside the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, a protected ecological zone. The village is also the origin of the scenic Wari Chora, a growing tourist hotspot, and home to multiple rivers including the Rongdik, Rompa, Kakija, Rekman, and Kantasi—all vital water sources for the region. Locals fear coal mining could permanently damage the fragile ecosystem.
In Garo tradition, the Nokma serves as the custodian of A·king land, overseeing community land held collectively by the clan. The position is typically hereditary and passed down matrilineally, with the Nokma responsible not only for governance but also for spiritual and cultural leadership. However, residents allege that this responsibility was betrayed.
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Villagers claim that the Nokma secretly sold around 150 hectares (1.5 sq km) of clan land to Marak for Rs 50 lakh, without consulting any of the rightful stakeholders. Reports indicate that initial coal extraction may already be underway.
On Monday, Paromgre’s Chras and villagers issued a strongly worded public statement, demanding that the land deal be nullified and the payment returned.
“We, the Chras and clan members of Paromgre A’king, strongly condemn the action of the Nokma. If anyone tries to carry out mining on our land without our consent, we will take further action,” the statement read.
The villagers also warned of the environmental consequences and advocated for sustainable tourism as a viable alternative. They emphasized that the Wari Chora eco-tourism model offers long-term benefits without destroying the region’s ecological balance.
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The protest reflects growing tensions in tribal areas of Northeast India, where questions of land rights, environmental protection, and traditional governance are increasingly coming into conflict with extractive industries.
