Shillong, March 30: The Green Tech Foundation (GTF) has alleged that even the state’s Tourism Minister, Timothy D. Shira, was unaware of the lease of Lum Pongdeng, as revealed through a Right to Information (RTI) reply.
Leaders of the GTF submitted a memorandum to the Tourism Minister, strongly opposing the leasing of 66 acres of land, including 33 acres at Lum Pongdeng (Dewlynnong) and 33 acres in parts of Umiam Lake. The land has reportedly been leased to the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) for the construction of a luxury resort and related infrastructure.
GTF Chairman H. Bansiewdor Nonglang expressed shock, stating that the Tourism Minister himself admitted he had no prior knowledge of the lease. According to Nonglang, the Minister only acknowledged the development after GTF presented an RTI response obtained from the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), which had already granted Consent to Establish (CTE) for the project.
The foundation also launched a public petition opposing the project, which reportedly gathered over 2,000 signatures within just three days. GTF claims the project could effectively “hand over” Umiam Lake to outside corporate interests. “We have clearly told the Minister to cancel the project immediately. This project is like selling off Umiam Lake to outsiders,” Nonglang said.
He further urged authorities not to Destroy forests and natural landscapes, Damage the ecological balance of the Khasi-Jaintia Hills. “We are tired. Cancel the project immediately, or we will be forced to take stronger steps in the future,” he warned.
The GTF has demanded the immediate scrapping of the project, raising concerns over environmental degradation and loss of local control over natural resources.
