Guwahati, April 25 -- Seven villages around the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi have firmly rejected a proposed Rs 23.60 crore eco-tourism project awarded to E-Factor Experiences Ltd.

Villagers claimed the government never consulted them and expressed concerns that the project would harm the sanctuary's delicate ecosystem.

During a recent meeting of the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong (Raid Sohkhwai), a council of village headmen, community leaders criticized the Wildlife Department for excluding local voices from the planning process.

They accused officials of pushing the project forward without transparency or engagement.

Headmen from villages, including Umsohma and Umladoh, strongly objected to the proposal.

They st...