By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 10: Winter Tales, a three-day extravaganza that promoted sustainability and local products, and ended back in December was held in Ward’s Lakel and promoted as an eco-friendly festival, shedding light on sustainability. However, the aftermath revealed a disheartening irony.
From December 14 to 16, the festival showcased its dedication to environmental responsibility, advocating for the use of eco-friendly products and urging visitors to bring their own cutlery, emphasizing a zero-waste approach.
However, the aftermath at Ward’s Lake painted a contrasting picture.
Discarded props and decoration materials were left piled up in a corner of the lake, a popular destination for tourists exploring Meghalaya. The remnants not only contradicted the festival’s eco-friendly claims but also marred the beautiful setting that draws visitors to the location. There were the bamboo stalls from the Shillong Wine Festival, constructed with sack covers, ended up detracting from the natural beauty of the lake.
A concerned citizen shared images of the aftermath on a Facebook group, captioned ‘Of Ward’s Lake, festivals, and its aftermath,’ on Wednesday.
The post drew criticism from netizens.
Ward’s Lake has been a hub for festivals, beginning with the Shillong Literary Fest, followed by the Winter Tales and the Shillong Wine Festival.
Interestingly, while the Literary Fest offered free admission, the latter two events charged an entry fee.
