‘The Garo Study Team of Tracing the Roots, an Origin Study Initiative of the Government of Meghalaya, has submitted a proposal to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya suggesting the development of a State Protocol for Scientific, Archaeological, Palaeontological and Heritage Research in Meghalaya.

The proposal grew out of the team’s experience in preparing the multidisciplinary Tracing the Roots project. While working on the scientific, ethical and research aspects of the project, the team came across a wider question: How should sensitive scientific and heritage research, as well as important or unexpected discoveries, be responsibly handled in Meghalaya?

The proposal is not intended to restrict genuine scientific or academic research. Rather, it aims to make responsible research easier by providing clear procedures. Researchers, communities and Government authorities should know who can undertake sensitive research, what permissions or consultations may be needed, how communities and customary institutions may be involved, and what should happen when something scientifically or culturally important is discovered.

Why is a State Protocol needed?

The need for clear procedures can be understood through some simple questions:

If someone discovers an ancient burial ground, who has the authority to excavate it?

If human remains are found, can they simply be collected and taken somewhere else for research?

If a villager discovers a fossil on community land, who can remove it, and where should it be kept?

If an archaeological artefact is found, can a researcher take it outside the State for laboratory examination?

If a sacred or culturally significant site is discovered, who decides whether it can be photographed, documented, excavated or made public?

These questions become even more important when research involves genetic studies involving Indigenous communities, institutions from outside Meghalaya, foreign institutions, or sensitive research data such as photographs, genetic information and other records.

At present, different laws and institutional procedures already govern many aspects of archaeological, scientific and heritage-related work. The proposed State Protocol is not intended to replace or duplicate these existing laws. Instead, it would provide a Meghalaya-specific framework to improve coordination and clarify procedures, especially where scientific research comes into contact with communities, customary institutions, culturally sensitive places, human remains, fossils, archaeological materials or other significant resources.

The Tolegre fossil: why clear procedures matter

A recent reported incident involving a prehistoric fossil from Tolegre village in South Garo Hills provides a useful example of why such a framework may be important.

The fossil was reported to be approximately 35–40 million years old and was examined by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). A portion of the fossil was subsequently reported stolen, following which a police case was registered.

The Study Team refers to this incident not to assign blame, but to highlight a larger issue. When an important scientific discovery is made, there should be clear procedures from the very beginning for reporting, assessment, protection, custody and scientific examination.

A State protocol could help ensure that significant discoveries are not lost, damaged, removed without proper authority or separated from the communities and places with which they are connected.

What could the proposed protocol clarify?

The proposed framework could provide clear guidance on questions such as:

• Who may undertake sensitive scientific and heritage research?
• Which activities require prior permission, approval or consultation?
• What should happen when an important discovery is made unexpectedly?
• Which Government authorities or institutions should be informed?
• How should fossils, archaeological materials, human remains and other significant materials be protected and placed in appropriate custody?
• When can scientific examination, sampling or removal take place?
• How should communities and customary institutions appropriately participate?
• What should happen to material after research is completed?
• How should sensitive research data and information be stored, protected and disclosed?

Protecting both research and heritage

These procedures would not prevent research. On the contrary, they could give researchers greater certainty about whom to approach and what procedure to follow, while giving communities and authorities a clearer understanding of their respective roles.

The central idea behind the proposal is that scientific research and heritage protection should work together.

Meghalaya has important scientific, archaeological, geological, palaeontological, anthropological and cultural resources. As interest in these resources increases, there will likely be more situations where scientific research intersects with community interests, customary practices and culturally significant places.

It is therefore better to establish clear procedures before difficult situations arise.

The question is not whether important discoveries should be studied. They should, wherever appropriate.

The question is:

How should they be studied, by whom, under whose authority, with what safeguards, and what should happen to the material and knowledge generated from the research?

A Meghalaya-specific framework

The Garo Study Team has suggested that the Government may consider beginning a consultative process involving the authorities concerned, the Autonomous District Councils, customary institutions, academic and scientific institutions, experts, communities and other stakeholders considered appropriate.

Such a process would allow Meghalaya to develop a framework suited to its own circumstances, laws, institutions, communities and cultural context.

The proposal is also not intended only for the Tracing the Roots project. It is a forward-looking suggestion for Meghalaya as a whole.

The State has significant resources of scientific and cultural importance, and these will continue to attract interest from researchers and institutions within and outside the State. A clear framework can help ensure that such research is welcomed while also protecting Meghalaya’s heritage, communities, culturally significant resources and public interest.

The wider vision

The proposed State Protocol would represent a step towards creating a research environment in Meghalaya that is both open to serious scientific inquiry and responsible towards the State’s heritage and communities.

For researchers, it could provide greater clarity and certainty.

For communities, it could provide greater protection and a clearer understanding of their role.

For Government institutions, it could provide a more coordinated way of responding to discoveries and research activities.

And for Meghalaya as a whole, it could help ensure that important scientific discoveries and cultural resources are properly documented, protected, studied and preserved for future generations.

The Garo Study Team has therefore respectfully placed the suggestion before the Hon’ble Chief Minister with the hope that Meghalaya may consider developing such a framework through a broad and consultative process.

The aim is not to make research more difficult. It is to make responsible research clearer, safer and more accountable.