The Assam government's move to set up 1,000 MW Solar PV Power Project in Karbi Anglong has left the indigenous Karbi and Rengma communities in fear of losing their lands and livelihood.

In October 2024, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a USD 434.25 million (about Rs 3,600 crore) loan to increase renewable energy capacity and improve energy security in Assam. Following which, the state and the central government announced their ambitious plan to establish the country's second-largest Cleantech project named 'Assam Solar Project' in the region.

The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) had approved a 1000 MW Solar powered project involving more than 18000 bighas (2,405 hectares) of residential and agricultural land. The project has been proposed to be set up in the Lahorijan area of the Karbi Anglong district.

In July 2023, the Joint Action Committee for Protection of Autonomy (JCCPA) opposed the proposed solar power plant installation on 18,000 bighas of fertile land in Lahorijan, Karbi Anglong district. JCCPA General Secretary Rabindra Rongpi stated they would accept the project if it were on wasteland, but the designated area is cultivable land.

A community elder from Long Kathar village expressed deep concerns about the project announced last year, stating that their village, founded in 1912, relies heavily on its plantations and agricultural land. The elder demands the project's cancellation, warning that if it proceeds, conflict is likely to arise. The people of Long Kathar village have not allowed the authorities to set up pillars or flags to mark their land. "We have sent them out and denied any compensation. We just want to remain in our land," he said.

The ADB Resettlement and Indigenous Peoples Plan estimates over 4,000 persons to be affected by the project. However, sources told LCW that approximately 25,000 people will get affected due to the project across 23 villages. The project would also impact the dependence of villagers on nearby forests for produce. A total of 10,102 standing trees come under the 18,000 bighas allotted for the proposed project. Out of 10,102 trees, 7,707 trees come under the 4869.68 bighas under the Central Range, Manja, and the rest of the 2395 trees come under the 13,130.32 bighas under the Eastern Range, Bokajan. 

While speaking to LCW, Debananda Medak, a journalist from Assam, said, "These indigenous communities are living in constant fear and uncertainty because of the looming eviction drives. KAAC, the autonomous body governing the hill district of Assam, has been preparing to evict these people from their land illegally without even conducting any public hearings. They have already allotted the land to Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL). The village Gaonburhas (headmen) have strictly restricted and denied this project on their ancestral land."

"Traditional bamboo guard towers, called 'Hentap', are located near the villages to protect farmlands from wild animals. The Assam state government and the KAAC have falsely claimed that there are no wild animal habitats in these areas. Local communities utilize these towers to monitor where wild elephants may enter their fields. Additionally, the government has misleadingly categorized 23 villages into seven different areas in the project proposals," he said.

Jiten Juria, the Gaonburha (Village headman) of Bowligaon, stated, "Our land is like our mother; it provides for us. If the solar project is built here, where will we go? Why is the government trying to evict us from our century-old villages? Where will the people from these 23 villages go?"

In September 2024, the Karbi Anglong District Congress Committee held a press meeting to oppose the BJP government's exploitation of landowners for the Solar Power Project in Lahorijan. They criticized the compensation rate of Rs 1.75 lakhs per bigha, set by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, as far below market value and in violation of the Land Acquisition Act. The committee argued that this undervaluation deprives locals of their rightful compensation and threatens their livelihoods.

Robi Hense from the village of Kane Hanse explained, "We have various species of wild animals here, such as elephants, tigers, and birds. Fortunately, there are no conflicts with these animals; they do not enter our villages or cause any destruction. Although they occasionally eat from our farmlands, we do not have any issues with that."

He further reiterated, "We can't allow this project to be started here. We don't want any compensation or anything. We just want our land to be free of incursion. We have been living here for over a century. We want the government to give us our rights."