The Forest and Environment Department, Govt. of Meghalaya, on July 06, 2026, notified regarding the restriction of the New and Expanding Polluting Industries in the Byrnihat Area.
The following has been stated:
• The Government has issued directions citing the deteriorating air quality in the Byrnihat circle of Ri-Bhoi district. Based on the Environmental Carrying Capacity (Air) Study conducted by CSIR-NEERI, which found that the atmospheric carrying capacity for PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅ has been exceeded, resulting in negative residual carrying capacity and serious risks to public health, the State has imposed immediate restrictions on industrial activities. Considering that Byrnihat (Meghalaya) shares an air shed with Byrnihat (Assam), a Critically Polluted Area (CPA) identified by the CPCB, and based on recommendations of the NCAP Monitoring Committee, Steering Committee, and the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, the notification prohibits the establishment of new Red Category industries, including the 17 highly polluting industrial sectors identified by CPCB, within the notified area.
• It also prohibits expansion of production capacity of existing Red and Orange Category industries, while permitting new Orange Category units only if they adopt modern clean technologies, clean fuel, and strictly comply with prescribed emission norms.
• These directions apply to the Byrnihat Circle, covering 20 notified villages, the Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP), and adjoining areas within a 5.85 km radius in Ri-Bhoi district.
• The notification has been issued to protect environmental quality, control air pollution, safeguard public health and promote sustainable industrial development, and comes into force immediately, remaining effective until modified or withdrawn by the State Government.
[Notification no. - ENV.2/2018/Pt-I/566]
