By Sunrise Pohtam
We all know that every major tech firm in the world has its own data servers and centres to handle encrypted data, daily processes, and computing. Now, these same tech companies seek expansion of their data centres due to craze over AI research and development. Moreover, each one may occupy a room, a house, or even a village-sized area, and sometimes it demands up to a kilometre of space just to install one data centre. These are not ordinary buildings, but highly complex infrastructures that operate continuously to shape the digital world we live in today. One remarkable thing about these centres is that they provide both technical and casual jobs for many people.
As for our state, if I’m not mistaken, we do have local government data hubs but in smaller proportion to run state-level e-governance and government websites. But that is not the issue to begin with. We are talking about mega-cluster centres here, and it may likely happen in the coming years. Lest we forget, the state of Meghalaya has always been a hub for many activities in the Northeast, and with growing attention towards digital expansion today, it is quite possible that such developments may be proposed or even welcomed in the near future. This progress may be tempting, but we must also question what kind of progress it truly is for our land and for our people.
One thing is that data centres need huge space to be built, and this directly creates problems for our local people who have their own maternal or clan land rights. In many parts of Meghalaya, land is not just property but identity, heritage, and lineage. Once large areas are acquired, nearby residents have to relocate either by force or willingly, and ownership may likely change which will surely disrupt traditional systems that have sustained our society for generations.
It is a fact that all modern equipment runs on electric power. These centres require electricity too, often in very high amounts. This will put the electricity corporation under strain to supply power to local citizens in the adjoining areas. In several districts of the state, we already have an irregular supply of power, and diverting massive energy resources to a single facility will surely create an imbalance between data centre demand and public necessity. Power outages, therefore, would become a frequent issue for the public in the form of load shedding and electrical maintenance.
If environmental degradation is our primary concern, perhaps we should consider these factors too. Data centres run 24/7 and produce heat, and to manage this, they require massive quantities of liquid for cooling. The most readily available and cost-effective option, of course, is high-quality water. This means the demand will come at the expense of our rivers, streams, and freshwater sources. Meghalaya is already rich in rainwater that flows into rivers, streams, and waterfalls. Many rivers are a source of livelihood and tourism for several areas in our state, such as the Umngot River. Imagine when tech companies have to extract massive amounts of natural water from these sources to cool down their data centres. This excessive extraction will not only reduce availability for local community use but will also disturb aquatic life. Groundwater in certain areas would not be free from extraction either.
At the same time, the 24/7 operation of these centres will lead to another issue: electronic waste. It is likely standard for GPUs used in data centres to have a lifespan of around three and a half years, after which they must be scrapped and replaced. This, in turn, creates large amounts of waste, including plastics and metals that are not environmentally friendly. In a state that is already facing waste management challenges, this will add another burden, with the risk that it might pollute the soil and harm our pristine hills, thereby affecting both the local people and the surrounding environment.
We cannot fight off the latest technological progress. We are sure to encounter it and get used to it. But the problem today in our state is not with the landowners or local people, but with our own state government policies and viewpoints. In the desire to place Meghalaya on the global economic map, our government often overlooks long-term consequences, jeopardising the health, safety, and environmental connection of our people. Development without foresight can bring disastrous results. If tomorrow companies like Google, Meta, OpenAI, Amazon, etc., seek to install data centres in Meghalaya, the price will be paid by our people and environment if proper governmental policies are not enforced. We do have land regulations implemented by the district councils of each district, but if the state government turns a blind eye to the traditional needs of the people, what good or progress would it bring for the people in general?
In conclusion, as I have said, technological development cannot be avoided, but it must be approached with careful consideration and responsibility. Our state of Meghalaya is already known globally for its pristine natural environment, rich culture, and community-based way of life. If we fail to recognise how these future impacts are connected, we risk losing not just our resources but our identity as well.
