Editor,
The editorial “Environment the Last Priority” (ST November 20, 2025) made interesting reading. “The environment is everything that isn’t me” – Albert Einstein. Einstein suggested that the environment is everything external to the self — the vast web of reality beyond personal identity and understanding this distinction is key to grasping our place in the world. Many legal experts and environmentalists see the Supreme Court’s November 18 verdict allowing post-facto environmental clearances as a serious dilution of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, because it legitimises violations after the fact rather than preventing them.
Justice Ujjal Bhuyan dissented strongly, saying the verdict overlooked the fundamentals of environmental jurisprudence and undermined the precautionary principle. The Environmental Protection Act, 1986 is built on the precautionary principle – environmental harm must be prevented ‘before’ it occurs. Allowing post-facto clearance means developers can build first, ignore norms and then seek approval later. This erodes deterrence and emboldens violators. The verdict weakens environmental regulation, undermines institutional credibility and risks turning clearance into a mere formality. The Shillong Times bluntly called it a “slap in the face of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and rightly warned that real estate giants will exploit this loophole. The editorial correctly pointed out that the “judgement could have far reaching effects especially in eco-sensitive, bio-diverse regions such as those in India’s Northeast where attempts are being made to establish extractive industries.”
The implications of the ruling are that real estate, mining, steel and infrastructure projects facing demolition now get a legal lifeline. The risk to the environment is weak enforcement in India means projects may bypass safeguards, worsening pollution, deforestation and public health crisis. The verdict revives earlier government notification of 2017, 2021 that allowed retrospective clearances, fundamentally altering compliance landscapes.
From a governance perspective, the majority prioritised economic costs and public resource preservation. From an environmental perspective, critics argue this is short-term pragmatism at the expense of long-term sustainability and rule of law. The split verdict itself shows the deep tension between development imperatives and environmental protection in India’s legal system. In essence the ruling may save billions in infrastructure but it risks hollowing out the Environmental Protection Act’s preventive spirit – turning environmental clearance into a post-ad hoc rubber stamp rather than a safeguard.
Yours etc;
VK Lyngdoh
Via email
When Festivals Become Hope: A People’s Reflection on Meghalaya’s Cultural Future
Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I wish to share a heartfelt reflection on the recent article titled ‘In defence of the decibels: Why the Meghalaya Government must invest in the Cherry Blossom Festival and their ilk authored Mr. Lamshwa Nongrum (ST Novermber 20, 2025) urging greater investment in the Cherry Blossom Festival and similar cultural events. My sincere appreciation to the author for his clear, comprehensive and courageous presentation. I also wish to thank the Government of Meghalaya for its ongoing efforts to promote tourism and preserve our cultural soul—often quietly, often without applause, yet with sincere commitment.
For us in Meghalaya, music is not just rhythm; it is memory, belonging and comfort. It lives in our hills and in the gentle warmth of our people. During festivals, our towns and villages breathe a little easier. Small entrepreneurs, homestay owners, taxi drivers, weavers, artisans and our talented youth see a glimmer of hope– hope that their hard work will be recognised, that their dreams matter, and that their homeland has space for them too.
Across the world, festivals have healed economies and uplifted communities. Glastonbury revived Somerset .It attracts over 200,000 visitors from around the world every year. The festival has transformed Somerset’s economy, generating hundreds of crores in tourism revenue through hotels, food stalls, transport and small businesses. Many towns around the venue thrive mainly because of this festival. . Montreux Jazz Festival ( Switzerland) held along the scenic Lake Geneva, Montreux draws international families, music lovers, and cultural tourists. Its calm, safe atmosphere and diverse music have turned Montreux into a global tourist destination. Hotels, cafés and shops flourish in July, and the city’s cultural tourism brand is recognised worldwide because of this festival.
Oktoberfest lifted Munich; Coachella transformed an empty desert; Edinburgh Fringe gave artists a global stage; Harbin Festival turned a cold city into a wonderland; and Hornbill became Nagaland’s pride. These success stories remind us that culture, when nurtured with care, becomes livelihood, dignity and global identity.
The article compellingly underscores this truth for our own home. Yet, people’s genuine concerns—crowding, leakages, waste, mismanagement—must be addressed honestly. Festival benefits must reach local hands first. No community should feel left out.
Today, with Assam advancing confidently through its Concert Tourism Policy, Meghalaya must awaken with renewed courage. Let our state become a synonym for world-class music, culture, nature and warmth—a place that not only attracts global tourists, but also celebrates its own people, branding our villages, markets, forests, waterfalls and hilltops with pride . Meghalaya can and should grow into a world-class music and cultural concert centre with local artists at its heart.
If guided with vision, sincerity, accountability and deep respect for community sentiments, festival tourism can become far more than an event. It can become a source of healing, a shared celebration of who we are, and a promise to our youth that their future can bloom right here at home.
Yours etc.,
Jairaj,
Via email
Emission Testing Centre
Editor,
Since the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board has decided to discontinue the emission testing of petrol and diesel vehicles from its premises at Lumpyngngad, Shillong and other similar facilities are located at the extreme end of the town, it will be wise to have them integrated with fuel stations operated throughout the city. The same facility is available in all major cities across the county where one can easily get their vehicle emission tested at fuel stations instead of travelling from one corner of the city to the other for the same.
With the current state of traffic that the city faces it is nothing short of painful for vehicle owners to drive around looking for an emission testing centre. Through your esteemed daily I would request the concerned authorities to make it easier by integrating it with various fuel stations in the city.
Yours etc.,
Anubrata Choudhury,
Via email
