Guwahati: Residents of Pub Dharamtul, Bhalukaguri and surrounding areas in central Assam’s Morigaon district have raised a series of questions over the draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) prepared for the proposed 1 million TPA cement grinding unit of Max Cement Industries Pvt. Ltd. at Pub Dharamtul and Bhalukaguri in Morigaon district.

The objections are being raised ahead of the scheduled public hearing on 28 August 2026, with residents questioning whether the EIA adequately reflects the project’s potential impact on local communities, the Kopili River and wildlife.

Draft EIA unavailable at Gaon Panchayat

Residents reportedly approached the Dakhin Dharamtul Gaon Panchayat office on 25 August, three days before the scheduled public hearing, seeking access to the draft EIA.

According to the residents, the Gaon Panchayat Secretary informed them that the draft EIA was not available at the office.

The residents have therefore questioned whether the Draft EIA was actually made available at the designated local office for public scrutiny before the hearing. Their submission asks the authorities to verify when the document was deposited at the Panchayat and whether it was accessible to the public during the pre-hearing period.

Questions over wildlife conservation plan

The draft EIA’s wildlife conservation plan has also come under scrutiny, particularly over the reported omission of the Indian elephant (Elephas maximus) from the principal Schedule-I species inventory.

Residents pointed out that an elephant entry appears elsewhere in the biodiversity assessment, but alleged that the species is not consistently reflected in the wildlife conservation plan.

They have also raised questions over the absence of the Gangetic river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) from the assessment, given that the proposed project site is approximately 80 metres from the Kopili River.

They have sought clarification on whether a dedicated survey was conducted to establish the presence, seasonal occurrence or habitat use of river dolphins along the relevant stretch of the river.

Approval status of wildlife plan questioned

The draft EIA’s terms of reference (ToR) compliance section states that a Wildlife Conservation Plan for Schedule-I species has been prepared and submitted to the Forest Department.

Residents, however, have questioned whether the plan has received the required approval from the Chief Wildlife Warden, Assam.

They have sought details of the approval order and asked whether the approved plan would be made available for public scrutiny before the environmental clearance appraisal is completed.

Water sampling locations questioned

Residents have also questioned the baseline water-quality assessment in the draft EIA.

The approved ToR requires surface-water samples from the nearest river at locations 60 metres upstream and downstream of the project site.

According to their assessment of the draft EIA, the Kopili River sampling points are approximately 300 metres upstream and 950 metres downstream from the project site.

They have sought an explanation for why the prescribed 60-metre locations were not used, whether approval was obtained for the deviation and whether fresh sampling should be conducted at the locations specified in the ToR.

Freshwater requirement raises questions

The project proposes to use 81 KLD, or 81,000 litres, of fresh water daily.

Residents have questioned where in the Draft EIA the dry-season yield measurement of the proposed water source is recorded, as required under the ToR.

They have also sought details on the quantity of water that the Kopili River can supply at the proposed intake during the driest period.

Residents said the basis for the proposed withdrawal of 81,000 litres of fresh water a day remains unclear without a source-yield assessment during the critical dry season.

They said their objections are not against industrialisation but concern the proposed location, which they consider environmentally and socially sensitive.

Their submissions focus on whether the Draft EIA provides sufficient, verifiable and project-specific information. They want the project proponent and EIA consultant to respond to their questions at the August 28 public hearing and have their objections formally recorded in the proceedings.

Actor and environmental activist Arghadeep Baruah said the area’s ecological balance could be affected by the proposed project.

“Dharmatul’s true wealth has always been its quiet harmony—where farming communities, ancient elephant corridors, and migrating Amur falcons coexist in delicate balance. Introducing a heavy industrial factory into this fragile ecosystem risks shattering that synergy. When toxic runoff, habitat fragmentation, and lost migration routes endanger the land and its wildlife forever, we have to ask: is short-term industrial gain worth sacrificing the very soul of Dharmatul?” he said.