By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 14: Under pressure due to the ongoing hunger strike against the proposed Taj Luxury Resort and Spa, the Meghalaya government on Tuesday made it sufficiently clear that the project will come up at the site of the existing Orchid Resort and not on Lumpongdeng Island.
Speaking to media persons, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma dismissed concerns that the island would suffer damage from permanent infrastructure. He reiterated that only temporary and nature-based structures would be developed on the island without impacting the environment.
Sangma assured that the ecosystem and environment of Lumpongdeng Island would be preserved while offering a unique experience to tourists.
He stated that the agreement signed with the implementing agencies clearly specifies that no permanent construction should be carried out on the island.
Addressing the concerns of the protesters, Sangma said their issues have been duly addressed and there was no need for any protest from the beginning. “Their (Green-Tech Foundation) concern was that the hotel will come up on the island and trees will be cut, but we have no such intention. The island will remain as it is,” he asserted.
He also clarified that the recent tree-felling incident, which led to the arrest of certain individuals, had no connection with the project as the contractors have not yet started work.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said the state government would proceed with the project but remained open to discussions with the protesting NGOs.
Tynsong added that Meghalaya currently has only two 5-star hotels, where 75 per cent of the employees are local youth. He emphasised that the creation of such assets would generate more employment opportunities for locals.
