It is not without reason that celebrities from the world of films and music in this country have Meghalaya in their bucket list of, “go to” places. The short visit of music maestro AR Rahman is, however, not just a casual one. While speaking at an intimate gathering in the city, Rahman lauded the Shillong Chamber Choir and said they symbolize the inclusivity of India. Without them, he said, the reality shows conducted regularly would remain incomplete and not representative of India. Rahman himself is directing a musical where he features a person from Shillong. The greatness of the man is that he even visited the home of the Choir at Whispering Pines and asked to see their makeshift recording studio. Later he said that’s how he too started his life’s journey.
In recent times we have had eclectic groups of discerning visitors who are enchanted by the weather and natural beauty of Meghalaya. However, even they realize that if Meghalaya’s tourism products are not properly priced to make them high-ended and restrict footfalls per day, then the sustainability of some of the natural phenomenon such as the living root-bridges is in serious jeopardy. Those who have travelled to Jaintia Hills are appalled by the devastation of coal mining. Others who take the route to Sohra or Dawki are shocked at the unregulated quarrying which has choked the rivers and brought down whole mountain ranges. Their single question is – why is the state allowing this to happen. When told that land here belongs to the people, their next question is – can individuals or groups destruct the environment which in turn causes calamities that affect entire populations. They also question the role of the state as the custodian of public welfare. Unfortunately while visitors raise these questions, the local people don’t seem to worry about the long term consequences of environmental degradation. What then are governments for if not to enforce the rule of law?
