By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 30: The Green-Tech Foundation on Monday expressed surprise over Tourism Minister Timothy D Shira’s alleged ignorance about the handover of Lumpongdeng Island at Umiam Lake to the Tata Group for a proposed luxury resort project.
After submitting a petition to the Minister, Foundation Chairman H Bansiewdor Nonglang told reporters that they had to present RTI documents to the Minister to establish the exact location of the project.
“We had to show the Tourism Minister the RTI information obtained from the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, which clearly indicates that the project site is at Lumpongdeng Island,” Nonglang said.
He added, “It is not only sad but surprising that the Minister is not aware of this. We have urged him to scrap the project, failing which we will be compelled to take more stringent steps.”
According to Nonglang, the Minister assured the delegation that he would soon convene a meeting on the matter, acknowledging that it is a “very critical issue,” particularly amid concerns that land in the area has effectively been handed over.
The Foundation chairman alleged that corporate interests are being brought in to exploit the ecologically sensitive Umiam Lake region. He stressed that priority should instead be given to preserving the lake, including addressing siltation caused by waste flowing in from the Umkhrah and Umshyrpi rivers.
The Foundation opposed the proposed development of a 5-star luxury resort and spa at Umiam Lake, particularly at Lumpongdeng Island. It raised concerns over the reported transfer of approximately 66 acres of land, including about 33 acres at the island, to the Indian Hotels Company Limited for a Taj-branded luxury project.
Nonglang said the Foundation “firmly and unequivocally opposes the project, as it poses a serious threat to the fragile ecosystem of Umiam Lake and Lumpongdeng Island.”
He pointed out that the proposed development runs contrary to environmental safeguards, including directives issued by the High Court of Meghalaya in PIL No. 10 of 2019 and the Meghalaya Waterbodies (Preservation and Conservation) Guidelines, 2023, which mandate protective buffer zones around water bodies.
Citing RTI findings, the Foundation said that Consent to Establish had already been granted for the project, covering Lumpongdeng Island and the Orchid Hotel area, under a 60-year lease arrangement.
Nonglang warned that large-scale construction would involve tree felling, land alteration, soil dumping, and increased noise pollution, potentially worsening siltation and threatening aquatic life and biodiversity.
He further cautioned that the project could disrupt habitats of several species, including migratory birds, and adversely affect breeding patterns in the region.
“The pristine ecological significance of Umiam Lake cannot be compromised for commercial tourism,” Nonglang said, adding that Lumpongdeng Island represents the “core natural heritage” of the lake.
While clarifying that the Foundation is not opposed to development in other parts of the state, he stressed that ecologically sensitive zones like Umiam must be protected.
The Foundation urged the government to focus instead on desiltation, afforestation, and removal of illegal structures around the lake.
It demanded immediate withdrawal of the land transfer, a halt to the proposed resort project, and strict adherence to environmental norms for any future development.
Nonglang cautioned that if the project proceeds despite objections, the Foundation may approach the High Court to safeguard Umiam Lake and its biodiversity.
