Shillong: Meghalaya officials rolled out strict new development rules for lands sitting along rivers outside city limits. The Forest and Environment Department mandate, dated July 6, 2026, sets mandatory setbacks of 10, 20, or 30 metres. These depend on river width and plot size. The rules take effect once printed in the Meghalaya Gazette.
Appendix 2A applies to non-industrial zones. Rivers up to four metres wide require a 10-metre buffer. For wider rivers, the gap grows. Plots up to 500 square metres need 10 metres, those up to 2,000 square metres need 20, and anything larger demands 30 metres. Appendix 2B governs industrial units and projects. The policy also dictates building height, floor area ratios, and total plot coverage.
These changes do not touch the 50-metre no-build zone protecting Umiam Lake. That February 2022 order remains active. It blocks all permanent building projects, barring boat jetties, near the high flood level. As officials push to grow local tourism, the state remains split on policy. The government identified a 28-acre site for a new five-star resort. Meanwhile, the Directorate of Tourism launched a Rs 22.78-crore tender in March 2026 to update the Orchid Lake Hospitality and Tourism Complex and the Umiam Water Sports Complex.
Work must finish within 24 months. These regulations track back to Meghalaya High Court hearings regarding lake cleanliness. A 2024 amendment already set a regulated zone four times the size of the setback. State officials noted, "The 2026 guidelines will come into force upon publication in the Meghalaya Gazette."
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