By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 19: Several stakeholders have raised serious concerns over the alleged adamant attitude of the state government in pushing ahead with the controversial tourism project at Lumpongdeng Island in Umiam Lake, accusing it of attempting to bulldoze the project despite growing opposition.
They warned that the proposed luxury resort and spa project would have a significant negative impact on the ecology and greenery of the area, even as it is being justified in the name of tourism promotion and employment generation.
The dissent comes amid ongoing protests by the Green-Tech Foundation Meghalaya (GTF), which has been demanding that the government scrap the 60-year lease agreement for the island and halt the project. The lease has been awarded to Umiam Hotels Pvt. Ltd. for the development of the resort.
According to available details, the project spans around 66 acres, including 30 acres on the mainland at Umiam and 36 acres on Lumpongdeng Island. The proposed development involves a five-star resort to be developed by Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), which owns the Taj brand of hotels, including the existing Orchid Lake Resort near the lake. The issue has drawn support from several pressure groups and opposition parties backing the GTF’s agitation.
Former civil servant Toki Blah said that while the government has prioritised tourism as a key driver of employment and revenue, the project raises critical concerns. He noted that Umiam Lake’s appeal lies in its pristine beauty, surrounded by dense forests and greenery, and questioned whether people would prefer preserving this natural landscape or replacing it with luxury infrastructure. “It is for the people to decide what is good and what is not,” he said.
Blah also expressed concern that, in the push for tourism, the government has allowed the Tourism Department to take over land from other departments for commercial purposes. Drawing a parallel with Ward’s Lake in Shillong, he said the once well-maintained public space has deteriorated following its transfer, citing poor upkeep, commercialisation, and the loss of its iconic bridge. He warned that a similar fate could befall Umiam Lake if large-scale commercial projects are allowed.
Blah further stressed that tourists visit Meghalaya to experience its natural beauty rather than high-end hotels, and called on the government to prioritise environmental preservation, including monitoring water quality and controlling pollution through community participation.
Echoing similar concerns, environmentalist H.H. Mohrmen criticised the government for ignoring the voices of protesting youth.
He questioned the tourism model being promoted, asking whether it favours handing over land to outside corporate entities such as projects like Courtyard by Marriott and Vivanta Meghalaya or supports community-led tourism models seen in Mawlynnong, Shnongpdeng and Sohra.
Mohrmen maintained that community-led tourism ensures equitable benefits for local residents, whereas corporate-driven projects primarily focus on profit.
He also raised concerns over land ownership, pointing out that the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India empowers district councils to safeguard indigenous land, and questioned whether these safeguards are being effectively enforced.
Mohrmen further cited the example of cement industries in Jaintia Hills, including operations linked to Star Cement, alleging that while resources are extracted from the state, major employment opportunities are created outside Meghalaya, leaving minimal benefits for local communities while exerting pressure on the environment.
Social activist Agnes Kharshiing also strongly opposed the project, questioning the decision to lease out large tracts of land without public consultation. She termed the leasing of 33 acres of Lumpongdeng Island—an ecologically sensitive area—as a “clear case of abuse of power,” and warned that such a project could threaten the hydroelectric power source associated with Umiam Lake.
Kharshiing further alleged that the government appears to be attempting to push the project forward while ignoring dissenting voices.
