Abstract

This paper presents prominent issues pertaining to environment and socio-cultural context of north-east India arising out of inevitable developmental activities. The region has enormous potential of hydropower and mineral resources where major portion of it is unexploited yet. The environmental related issues are primarily subjected to dams and mining of minerals which questions the sustainability of environment, socio-cultural, religions and identity of the people mainly in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur and Meghalaya. Owing to inevitability of development, we argued it is imperative to assess the socio-environmental impacts before the commencement of any developmental activities. More sustainable and cost-effective smaller dams should be constructed in lieu of large dams. This paper outlined and underpinned the existing problems and challenges associated with developmental activities and attempt to bring about a sustainable approach by considering the environment, development and society.