Domiasiat is more or less an untouched world since there is no connectivity with the outside world. A curious explorer would have to trek through a rugged topography for an hour and a half to get there. What is even more challenging is riding on rooftops of a bi-weekly bus on an uneven road to reach Wahkaji, which is the closest village.
This hamlet sits on the Khasi series of granite belonging to the cretaceous period. There is also an abundance of red and yellow sandstones accompanied by old alluvium. The rainfall is as heaviest as any southern slope of Meghalaya. Few have equated to that of Cherrapunji. The soil is rich and fertile and houses a variety of vegetation. It is also one of the richest biosphere reserves in the state. Several indigenous tree species and fruit trees can be seen growing on the slopes of the hills. A carnivorous plant species called the Pitcher Plant (locally known as Tongsnoi) is found in abundance. During the summers, one can enjoy the lush green meadows and the several rivulets make it quite poetic and nostalgic. But one has to bear the endurance of the blood-sucking leeches that can cling to the body at one instant of passing through them. Locals carry along with them mixture of lime, tobacco and salt to avoid any clinging of these little but creepy creatures.
This hamlet is about 15sq.km. in area having only about eight families residing in it, all belonging to one ruling clan called the Langrin. The land is often leased out to people for a period of one to two years at a very reasonable rate. The people use the land for shifting cultivation. They cultivate the slopes by clearing the forest. The woods are burned to convert to charcoal, which remains to be the main economy besides broomsticks. Locals also grow crops like rice, maize, millets, pepper, areca nut and fruits and vegetables, but only for their own sustenance.
In the year 1991-92 the Department of Atomic Power, Government of India found a trace of rich uranium in the periphery. It was estimated to be one of the best in terms of quality and is also at a more shallow depth of 10-50 feet from the crust. It was said that this was a new find after the four-decade-old mining at Jadugoda in Jharkhand is almost depleted.
The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) started exploration on an experimental basis at the site called Nongbah Jynrin, which is 5km south of Domiasiat.
But on the fear of severe repercussions resulting from radiation and the fear of any repetitions of the health hazards that once ravaged Jadugoda, several non-governmental organizations and the public at large protested and resisted the extraction of Uranium. This caused the UCIL to cease work and abandon the mines. Now there is only the remnant of dugout pits, which are meticulously covered by thick concrete.
About 23 villages on all directions surround Domiasiat. These villages are in within the radius of 5-10 km. The total population would be about 5000. The region is backward with no proper facilities like drinking water, sanitation and electricity. The transport and communication network has yet to be developed here. The Christian missionaries have established churches and educational institutions that have made the people more rational in outlook.
What the people are looking for at the moment is a clarification from the various groups and organizations about the much talked about uranium mining. The UCIL has earmarked 450 crore of rupees for the project at Domiasiat. Besides others, this would include developing the region with proper roads, establishment of hospitals, dispensaries, schools, post offices and many others. This would certainly benefit the people of the region. But uncertainty looms over for they fear that they might be alienated from their lands, lose their property and even fear that these promises might not actually be theirs but to the employees of the corporation only. The bemoaning question that hovers over the region is whether their health will be at stake at the cost of development? Here the question of radiation persists.
« return.