Nongkhyllem Wildlife is a “HOME” to vast biodiversity from the roars on the ground to the tweets in the canopy and unto the plunge of marine/aquatic life. It is full of life and green life that sustains man on earth. The biodiversity of flora and fauna at Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary with its mushy green forests is at an environmental threat of undergoing eco-tourism infrastructural project worth about Rs. 23.60 Crores (EPC Contract) awarded to a body corporate which is a design and event management firm! This EPC contract features of a chalet-style resort, an interpretation center, canopy-based skywalks, and a water sports zone. Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary has an area of about 29 Sq. Km which is relatively small making it one of the smallest Sanctuaries in the country inasmuch not suitable for any infrastructure attracting tourism. A small area pressured with tourist inflow and infrastructure may lead to displacement of wildlife, negative impact of biotic interaction, land pressure, pollution (especially noise) and other non-forested detrimental practices.

The state of Meghalaya has only about 4 and 2 wildlife sanctuaries and national parks respectively which calls for best preservation and conservation in its all natural state. The main criticisms of the EPC project are firstly, that a Chalet styled hotel or a resort is a structure that is permanent in nature which defeats the idea of sustainability as it shall limit forest area in a sanctuary. Staying in a sanctuary or a forest area for study or tour must be done with temporary structures such as a tent to say the least. Secondly, a Canopy based skywalk it is yet again a non-forest activity which shall cause irreparable damage to pristine forests and its biodiversity. It involves noise pollution, transportation of materials which shall disturb the natural being of a sanctuary. Thirdly, an Interpretation Centre is speculated to be of permanent in nature and a sizeable area shall be consumed for its construction which shall reduce the area of wildlife dwelling. And lastly, a Watersports arena in a wildlife sanctuary is a halfwit and ignorant conception of whoever came up with it. The use of motor boats bring noise pollution and tourist inflow along with it is inevitable making the sanctuary completely a circus rather than a safe haven for wildlife. 

A family's forest, cleared for development, silences the songs of birds and the rustle of leaves. The cost of progress shouldn't be their extinction. Let's pause, reflect, and act to protect our precious wildlife. Imagine someone tearing down your childhood home, forcing you to flee without a second thought. You'd feel lost, scared, and heartbroken. That's exactly what's happening to countless animals displaced by infrastructure projects. Their homes, their families, their lives – all disrupted. Can we find a way to build progress without breaking their spirits?

Join us in our endeavour to prevent the infrastructural project worth about Rs. 23.60 Crores (EPC Contract) from stepping foot and causing irreparable damage in the safe havens of wildlife at Nongkhyllem!