Draft:Byrnihat

Alternative agricultural practices were researched at Byrnihat from 1975 to 1983 to find a viable alternative to shifting cultivation.{{cite book |editor-last1=Prasad |editor-first1=Ram |editor-last2=Shah |editor-first2=Shachi |editor-last3=Venkatramanan |editor-first3=V. |date=16 November 2020 |title=Exploring Synergies and Trade-offs Between Climate Change and the Sustainable Development Goals |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Exploring_Synergies_and_Trade_offs_betwe/IxwJEAAAQBAJ |publisher=Springer Nature |page=130 |isbn=9789811573019 |doi=10.1007/978-981-15-7301-9 |access-date=14 June 2025}}

In 2011, it was reported that illegally felled trees from various parts of Meghalaya were being used by industries in Byrnihat.{{cite news |author= |date=21 November 2011 |title=Govt fails to stem timber smuggling |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/govt-fails-to-stem-timber-smuggling/cid/328601 |work=The Telegraph |location=Shillong |access-date=26 April 2025}}

A meeting on the development of the bamboo industry was held on 24th January 2020 at the Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre in Byrnihat by the North Eastern Council.{{cite news |author= |date=25 Jan 2020 |title=Meeting on bamboo development held at Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre, Byrnihat |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/cities/guwahati-city/meeting-on-bamboo-development-held-at-cane-and-bamboo-technology-centre-byrnihat |work=The Sentinel |location=Guwahati |access-date=25 April 2025}}

During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Byrnihat was designated as one of the entry points for transportation of goods from Assam into Meghalaya, to prevent the spread of COVID from Assam to Meghalaya.{{cite news |author= |date=3 April 2020 |title=Meghalaya on border alert |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/meghalaya-on-border-alert-during-coronavirus-outbreak/cid/1761758 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=25 April 2025}}{{cite news |last=Lyngdoh |first=Andrew W. |date=19 March 2020 |title=Coronavirus screening of visitors at Byrnihat |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/coronavirus-screening-of-visitors-at-byrnihat/cid/1755872 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=25 April 2025}} In July of 2020, the government of Meghalaya moved the entry point at Byrnihat to another location, after facing pressure from the government of Assam.{{cite news |author= |date=15 July 2020 |title=Meghalaya succumbs to Assam's pressure: Entry point at Byrnihat will be shifted to another location |url=https://www.nenow.in/north-east-news/meghalaya/meghalaya-succumbs-to-assams-pressure-entry-point-at-byrnihat-will-be-shifted-to-another-location.html |work=Northeast Now |access-date=25 April 2025}}

A specialized ginger processing plant was opened at the Export Promotion Industrial Park in the town in 2021.{{cite news |author= |date=30 December 2020 |title=Meghalaya: Northeast's first-ever specialised ginger processing plant at Ri-Bhoi to be functional in 2021 |url=https://nenow.in/north-east-news/meghalaya/meghalaya-northeasts-first-ever-specialised-ginger-processing-plant-at-ri-bhoi-to-be-functional-in-2021.html |work=Northeast Now |access-date=25 April 2025}} A health centre was set up in Byrnihat in June of the year to serve people with a mild case of COVID of the Ri-Bhoi district.{{cite news |author= |date=3 June 2021 |title=Jirang MLA sets up Corona Care Centre at Byrnihat |url=https://highlandpost.com/jirang-mla-sets-up-corona-care-centre-at-byrnihat/ |work=Highland Post |access-date=25 April 2025}}

Byrnihat and nearby areas experienced heavy rain in May 2022. The rains made it difficult to work on the roads. A minor died and 2 others were injured after a large tree fell on an auto-rickshaw due to the heavy rains.{{cite news |author= |date=14 May 2022 |title=Heavy rains lash Meghalaya; minor dead in Ri Bhoi district |url=https://nagalandpost.com/index.php/2022/05/14/heavy-rains-lash-meghalaya-minor-dead-in-ri-bhoi-district/ |work=Nagaland Post |agency=Press Trust of India |access-date=25 April 2025}}

The Assam-based Hindu organization Kutumba Surakshya Parishad scheduled protests against the banning of Hindu rituals in the Mawjymbuin Cave on December 24, 2024, one of them allegedly including blocking the Meghalaya-Assam Highway in the Byrnihat area.{{cite news |author= |date=24 December 2025 |title=Mawjymbuin Cave row: East Khasi Hills DC invites Hindu group for discussions on Jan 5 |url=https://assamtribune.com/north-east/mawjymbuin-cave-row-east-khasi-hills-dc-invites-hindu-group-for-discussions-on-jan-5-1562168 |work=The Assam Tribune |location=Shillong |access-date=25 April 2025}} These were banned by the administration of the Ri-Bhoi district to maintain tranquility before Christmas celebrations.{{cite news |author= |date=24 December 2024 |title=Meghalaya's Ri Bhoi Administration Bans Assam Hindu Body From Protesting In Byrnihat And Khanapara |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/meghalaya-news/meghalayas-ri-bhoi-administration-bans-assam-hindu-body-from-protesting-in-byrnihat-and-khanapara |work=The Sentinel |location=Shillong |access-date=25 April 2025}}

It was proposed in 2024 that over 130 acres of forest land at Byrnihat be converted to a new industrial estate,{{cite news |author= |date=12 June 2024 |title=Govt to set up new industrial estate in Byrnihat |url=https://highlandpost.com/govt-to-set-up-new-industrial-estate-in-byrnihat/ |work=Highland Post |location= |access-date=30 April 2025}}{{cite news |last=Das |first=Manosh |date=6 March 2025 |title=No conversion of 'forest land' for industry at Byrnihat: CM |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/no-conversion-of-forest-land-for-industry-at-byrnihat-cm/articleshow/118767784.cms |work=The Times of India |location=Shillong |access-date=26 April 2025}} which has raised concerns about the projects environmental impact.{{cite news |author= |date=6 March 2025 |title=Conrad reassures Meghalaya Investment Promotion Agency won't bypass Land Transfer Act |url=https://shillongtoday.com/conrad-reassures-meghalaya-investment-promotion-agency-wont-bypass-land-transfer-act/ |work=Shillong Today |location=Shillong |access-date=26 April 2025}} The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma, stated that the land is not a recorded forest land and that the proposal will only move forward if the locals are comfortable with it.

Two railway projects have been initiated that go to Byrnihat: the Tetelia–Byrnihat line, and the Byrnihat–Shillong line. These lines have faced much opposition in Meghalaya from various groups,{{cite news |author= |date=11 October 2023 |title=Meghalaya explores railway projects despite resistance |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/meghalaya-explores-railway-projects-despite-resistance-1503230424.html |work=The Statesman |access-date=11 June 2025}} especially the Khasi Students Union, due to the fear that it would bring illegal immigrants into Meghalaya{{cite news |author= |date=18 August 2023 |title=Railway project in Meghalaya's East Jantia hills still on cards: Dy CM |url=https://northeastlivetv.com/around-ne/meghalaya/railway-project-in-meghalayas-east-jaintia-hills-still-on-cards-dy-cm/ |work=Northeast Live |access-date=11 June 2025}}{{cite book |last=Karlsson |first=Bengt G. |year=2011 |title=Unruly Hills: A Political Ecology of India's Northeast |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Unruly_Hills/_-MRFbForK4C |publisher=Berghahn Books |page=66 |isbn=9780857451057 |access-date=14 June 2025}} and turn the indigenous communities (Khasi and Garo peoples) into minorities.{{cite news |last=Baruah |first=Sukrita |date=24 March 2025 |title=Why the Indian Railways is likely to shelve projects in Meghalaya |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/indian-railways-shelve-projects-meghalaya-9896452/ |work=The Indian Express |location=Guwahati |access-date=14 June 2025}} No work for these lines has been done in Meghalaya.{{cite news |author= |date=13 March 2023 |title=Meghalaya: NFR to approach MDA 2.0 government pushing for 108 km Byrnihat-Shillong rail line project |url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/meghalaya/story/meghalaya-nfr-to-approach-mda-20-government-pushing-for-108-km-byrnihat-shillong-rail-line-project-526009-2023-03-13 |work=India Today NE |access-date=11 June 2025}}

Byrnihat is located at a low altitude,{{cite journal |last1=Ranhotra |first1=Harmit S. |last2=Sharma |first2=R. |date=10 February 2010 |title=Moderately high altitude habitation modulates lipid profile and alkaline phosphatase activity in aged Khasis of Meghalaya |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12291-010-0011-4 |journal=Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry |volume=25 |issue= |publisher=Springer Nature |pages=51-56 |doi=10.1007/s12291-010-0011-4 |access-date=3 June 2025}} at 66 metres above sea level. It has a tropical climate, with an average minimum and maximum temperature of 17.5°C and 28°C, respectively.{{cite journal |last1=Kshattriya |first1=S. |last2=Sharma |first2=G. D. |last3=Mishra |first3=R. R. |date=March 1992 |title=Enzyme activities related to litter decomposition in forests of different age and altitude in North East India |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/003807179290228P |journal=Soil Biology and Biochemistry |volume=24 |issue=3 |publisher=Pergamon Press |pages=265-270 |doi=10.1016/0038-0717(92)90228-P |access-date=5 June 2025}} It has a high annual temperature compared to Shillong. The average rainfall in Byrnihat is 212mm. The Byrnihat area has a hilly terrain.{{Cite report |author= |date=14 January 2020 |title=Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Abatement Action Plan Byrnihat Industrial Cluster – Assam |publisher=Pollution Control Board, Assam |publication-place=Guwahati |url=https://cpcb.nic.in/industrial_pollution/New_Action_Plans/CEPI_Action%20Plan_Byrnihat.pdf |access-date=5 June 2025}} The town's geography affects the kinds of products sold in its weekly market.

The town is in the Umling block of the Ri-Bhoi district, in Meghalaya. It is located on the Guwuhati-Shillong roadways (GS road). It is 90km away from Shillong and 14km away from Guwahati.

An Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP){{efn|name=fn1|Although the cited BBC article calls it an 'Export Promotion Industrial Project', all other sources call it an 'Export Promotion Industrial Park'.}} was built at Byrnihat by the government. It is located adjacent to the Umtrew river, and spans 256 acres, as of 2024. The project provides firms that settle there with infrastructure and financial incentives such as subsidies and tax holidays, to attract investors into the region.{{cite news |last=Irani |first=Delnaaz |date=7 February 2010 |title=Poverty and power in one of India's poorest areas |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8501122.stm |work=BBC |access-date=29 April 2025}} It is partially in Meghalaya and partially in Assam.{{cite news |author= |date=23 April 2025 |title=Byrnihat Residents Grapple With Health Issues Caused by Air Pollution: Report |url=https://thewire.in/environment/byrnihat-residents-grapple-with-health-issues-caused-by-air-pollution-report |work=The Wire |access-date=3 May 2025}}

The town has a weekly market which operates every Friday.{{cite web |last=Purkayastha |first=Nabarun |date= |title=Weekly market: A study on Byrnihat market in Ri-Bhoi District of Meghalaya |url=https://ustm.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Author-64-72.pdf |website=University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya |access-date=1 June 2025}}

Pollution is a major problem in Byrnihat. In 2024, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), a non-profit think tank, reported that Byrnihat was India's most polluted city in 2023, having an annual average PM10 concentration of 301 micrograms per cubic metre.{{cite news |last1=Kalita |first1=Kangkan |last2=Pati |first2=Ipsita |date=30 September 2024 |title=India’s choking beyond Delhi: Byrnihat shows we have a big unnoticed pollution problem |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indias-choking-beyond-delhi-byrnihat-shows-we-have-a-big-unnoticed-pollution-problem/articleshow/113692960.cms |url-access=subscription |work=The Times of India |access-date=30 April 2025}} In 2025, IQAir, a Swiss air technology company, ranked the town as the most polluted city in the world in 2024, with a PM2.5 concentration of 128.2 microgram per cubic metre that year.{{cite news |last=Gupta |first=Cherry |date=13 March 2025 |title=Top 10 most polluted Indian cities (2024-25): Delhi tops the list, Byrnihat ranked worst globally |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/top-10-listing/top-10-most-polluted-indian-cities-2024-25-9882179/ |work=The Indian Express |access-date=3 May 2025}} Its particulate matter concentration surpassed places more well known for pollution problems, such as Delhi, in both years.{{cite news |author= |date=10 January 2024 |title=Meghalaya's Byrnihat India's Most Polluted City In 2023: Report |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/meghalayas-byrnihat-indias-most-polluted-city-in-2023-report-4836793 |work=NDTV |agency=Press Trust of India |access-date=3 May 2025}}{{cite news |author= |date=12 March 2025 |title=Where in India is Byrnihat, the world's most polluted city |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/where-in-india-is-byrnihat-the-worlds-most-polluted-city/articleshow/118919009.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=3 May 2025}} The National Clean Air Programme includes Byrnihat in its list of non-attainment cities, a list of the most polluted cities of India.{{cite web |author= |date= |title=City Dashboard |url=https://prana.cpcb.gov.in/#/clean-air-city/list |website=Portal for Regulation of Air Pollution in Non-Attainment Cities (Central Pollution Control Board) |publisher=Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change |access-date=28 April 2025}} Its air pollution has reportedly caused health problems such as respiratory issues, eye irritation, skin rashes, tuberculosis, and cancer. The pollution has also been reported to damage crops and water sources.{{cite news |last=Kashyap |first=Saraswat |date=14 March 2025 |title=This Meghalaya city topped list of world's most polluted cities in 2024 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/meghalayas-byrnihat-tops-global-pollution-list-resident-says-unable-to-breathe-2693396-2025-03-14 |work=India Today |access-date=1 May 2025}}{{cite news |last=Agarwala |first=Tora |date=21 April 2025 |title=Indians battle respiratory issues, skin rashes in world's most polluted town |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indians-battle-respiratory-issues-skin-rashes-worlds-most-polluted-town-2025-04-21/ |work=Reuters |location=Byrnihat |access-date=1 May 2025}} The number of respiratory infection cases in the region rose by 76.8% from 2022 to 2024, from 2,082 to 3,681. The town's groundwater is contaminated with heavy metals, such as cadmium, chromium, and lead, at levels which exceed limits set by the Bureau of Indian Standards and the World Health Organization, according to two 2024 studies.{{cite journal |last1=Borgohain |first1=Devashree |last2=Lanong |first2=Shaneem |last3=Jaishi |first3=Hari Prasad |date=28 March 2024 |title=Heavy metal contamination and health risks in ground water at Byrnihat industrial area: urgent need for remediation and public health safeguards |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43538-024-00273-2 |journal=Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy |volume=90 |issue= |publisher=Springer Nature |pages=931–942 |doi=10.1007/s43538-024-00273-2 |access-date=21 May 2025}}{{cite journal |last1=Jaishi |first1=Hari Prasad |last2=Mahanta |first2=Bishal |last3=Ali |first3=Innos |last4=Baishya |first4=Kongkon |last5=Roy |first5=Dhruba Kumar |last6=Sarma |first6=Manjit |date=30 Jul 2024 |title=Evaluation of ground water quality using heavy metal pollution indices and estimation of health risk |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03067319.2024.2382365 |journal=International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry |publisher=Taylor & Francis |pages=1-23 |doi=10.1080/03067319.2024.2382365 |access-date=21 May 2025}}

Byrnihat's pollution has been attributed to the industrial activities in the area, emissions of vehicles moving through the Meghalaya-Assam border, construction,{{cite news |author= |date=12 March 2025 |title=Why Meghalaya's Byrnihat has the most polluted air in the world |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/environment/story/why-meghalayas-byrnihat-has-the-most-polluted-air-in-the-world-2692205-2025-03-12 |work=India Today |access-date=3 May 2025}} mining, The town has been said to have a "bowl-shaped topography" which prevents pollutants from leaving the area. The Byrnihat Industries Association has contested the culpability of Byrnihat's industries in pollution of the town.{{cite news |author= |date=19 March 2025 |title=Byrnihat: Call for study on ‘actual’ sources of pollution |url=https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/03/19/byrnihat-call-for-study-on-actual-sources-of-pollution/ |work=The Shillong Times |location=Shillong |access-date=12 May 2025}}

(response from dept. cm 2024 and cm 2025)

After the Central Pollution Control Board recorded Byrnihat as the most polluted settlement in India on October 25, 2023,{{cite news |author= |date=26 October 2023 |title=Byrnihat tagged as most polluted area in India; Dy CM blames factories on Assam side |url=https://hubnetwork.in/byrnihat-tagged-as-most-polluted-area-in-india-dy-cm-blames-factories-on-assam-side/ |work=Hub News |location=Shillong |access-date=27 April 2025}} the Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Prestone Tynsong, stated that Byrnihat's factories are "well monitored by the MSPCB" and are fewer in number compared to the part of Assam bordering Byrnihat.{{cite news |author= |date=27 October 2023 |title=Meghalaya’s Byrnihat overtakes Delhi as most polluted urban centre in India |url=https://nenews.in/meghalaya/meghalayas-byrnihat-overtakes-delhi-as-most-polluted-urban-centre-in-india/3896/ |work=Northeast News |location=Shillong |access-date=8 May 2025}} After IQAir's report was released in 2025, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma, challenged IQAir's report by saying that MSPCB found Byrnihat's PM2.5 concentration in 2024 to be 50.1 micrograms per cubic metre. He also stated that Assam's part of the Byrnihat area may be a major contributor to the pollution, as it has 20 industries with a high pollution potential, while Byrnihat has only 5. He also called for a join effort between Assam and Meghalaya on the issue.{{cite news |author= |date=13 March 2025 |title=Assam major source of pollution in Byrnihat: Meghalaya CM |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/assam-major-source-of-pollution-in-byrnihat-meghalaya-cm/article69326246.ece |work=The Hindu |location=Guwahati |access-date=9 May 2025}}{{cite news |last=Karmakar |first=Sumir |date= |title=Meghalaya govt contradicts Swiss report, says Byrnihat's air quality index is satisfactory |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/meghalaya/meghalaya-govt-contradicts-swiss-report-says-byrnihats-air-quality-index-is-satisfactory-3450194 |work=Deccan Herald |location=Guwahati |access-date=10 May 2025}}

(government action)

In February 2022, factories at the Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP) were inspected by local MLA Sosthenes Sohtun and MDC Victor Rani after residents and village leaders from the Byrnihat area complained about pollution from those factories.{{cite news |author= |date=16 February 2022 |title=Local legislator, others inspect factories in Byrnihat area |url=https://theshillongtimes.com/2022/02/16/local-legislator-others-inspect-factories-in-byrnihat-area/ |work=The Shillong Times |location=Nongpoh|access-date=23 April 2025}} The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) inspected ten industrial units in the town on 3rd September, 2024, six of which were found to not comply with pollution regulations and were issued closure notices.{{cite news |author= |date=4 September 2024 |title=Meghalaya shuts down 6 Byrnihat industrial units for flouting environmental norms |url=https://assamtribune.com/north-east/meghalaya-shuts-down-6-byrnihat-industrial-units-for-flouting-environmental-norms-1550244 |work=The Assam Tribune |location=Guwahati |access-date=28 April 2025}}

Byrnihat's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded as 126 in November of 2015, which is moderate.{{cite news |last=Lyngdoh |first=Andrew W. |date=15 December 2015 |title=Good air quality in Shillong residential areas |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/good-air-quality-in-shillong-residential-areas/cid/1527954 |work=The Telegraph |location=Shillong |access-date=25 April 2025}}

It had an AQI of 338 on 30th November, 2023, ranking among the most polluted places in India.{{cite news |last=Naaz |first=Fareha |date=30 November 2023 |title=Top 10 most polluted cities across India with worst AQI levels; Where does Delhi stand? Full list here |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/top-10-most-polluted-cities-across-india-with-worst-aqi-levels-where-does-delhi-stand-full-list-here-11701312708627.html |work=Mint |access-date=27 April 2025}} Out of 277 days of 2023 analysed, Byrnihat experienced bad air quality in 67.51% of them.{{cite web |author= |date=5 November 2024 |title=Byrnihat Near Guwahati Recorded Most Bad AQI Days: Report |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/topheadlines/byrnihat-near-guwahati-recorded-most-bad-aqi-days-report |website=The Sentinel |location=Guwahati |access-date=28 April 2025}} It ranked as the most polluted city of India during 2023 in a report by the thinktank Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).{{cite news |author= |date=10 January 2024 |title=Not Delhi, Meghalaya's Byrnihat Is India's Most Polluted City In 2023: Report |url=https://swachhindia.ndtv.com/meghalayas-byrnihat-indias-most-polluted-city-in-2023-report-86904/ |work=NDTV |agency=Press Trust of India |location=New Delhi |access-date=28 April 2025}}

Byrnihat was found to be the most polluted city in India in August 2024, in a report by the CREA.{{cite news |last=Choubey |first=Jitendra |date=5 September 2024 |title=Surplus rainfall in August kept air quality of Indian cities clean |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Sep/05/surplus-rainfall-in-august-kept-air-quality-of-indian-cities-clean |work=The New Indian Express |location=Delhi |access-date=28 April 2025}}

• Air pollution
• Air pollution in India
• Air quality index
• Industrial town
• Industrial waste
• List of most-polluted cities by particulate matter concentration
• Particulates
• Secondary sector of the economy
• Water pollution
• Water pollution in India

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

(Delete this after the draft is complete)

• https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/amp/news/coal/meghalaya-allows-coal-mining-for-domestic-purpose-barred-export/75506865
• https://assamtribune.com/probe-unearths-massive-power-theft-at-byrnihat-industrial-area

• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/shillong/byrnihat-railway-project-not-to-be-scrapped/articleshow/59230634.cms
• https://theshillongtimes.com/2022/02/05/no-railway-project-reiterates-khadc/
• https://theshillongtimes.com/2020/08/27/land-acquisition-key-hurdle-for-nfr-to-complete-byrnihat-track/

• https://thewire.in/environment/byrnihat-residents-grapple-with-health-issues-caused-by-air-pollution-report
• https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indians-battle-respiratory-issues-skin-rashes-worlds-most-polluted-town-2025-04-21/
• https://www.nenow.in/north-east-news/meghalaya/meghalaya-byrnihat-air-quality-improves-to-moderate-after-stringent-pollution-controls.html