Nestled in the rugged mountains of Northeast India, bordering Myanmar, lies Nagaland — a state rich in natural beauty, culture, and history. Its landscape is dominated by lush hills and valleys, home to diverse indigenous tribes, each with their own language, customs, and traditions. Here, vibrant festivals and bustling markets are more than just celebrations; they are living testaments to the spirit of the Naga people.

Beneath its serene hills lies an estimated nearly 550 million tonnes of oil and natural gas reserves, potentially capable of boosting India’s onshore oil and gas production. But the journey to harness these resources has been anything but simple.

Oil exploration in Nagaland began in the early 20th century, but it was in the 1990s that significant opposition emerged. Local communities, already dealing with the challenges of insurgency and extremism, voiced concerns about the impact of oil extraction on their land and way of life. In 1994, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, or ONGC, halted its operations due to political turmoil.

Despite this setback, the desire to control the vast oil reserves beneath Nagaland’s soil never waned. In 2012, the state government took a bold step, drafting the Nagaland Petroleum and Natural Gas (NPNG) Regulations, setting the stage for a new era of oil exploration. In 2014, the state government allocated oil blocks to a private company, Metropolitan Oil and Gas Private Limited (MOGPL), signaling a shift towards local control of resources.

But not everyone agrees on how this should unfold.

In 2023, the Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC), representing the state’s indigenous groups, imposed a set of conditions for any future oil exploration. They demanded that local communities benefit from the resources extracted from their land, and that the preservation of Naga culture and environment remain at the forefront of any development plans.

The complex tug-of-war between local, state, and central governments continues to shape the future of oil exploration in Nagaland. As new players enter the arena, the Naga people remain at the heart of this debate, balancing economic development with the preservation of their identity and the protection of their natural heritage.

In Nagaland, the question of oil is not just about barrels of crude beneath the earth. It is about the future of a people whose land, culture, and traditions are woven into every hill and valley. As the state grapples with how best to navigate the wealth beneath its soil, one thing is clear: the Naga spirit remains steadfast in protecting its heritage, no matter what the future holds.

Nagaland, a land of history, culture, and conflict, stands at the crossroads of its future. Only time will tell how its vast resources will be harnessed — and who will truly benefit.