Shillong, Mar 27: The Green-Tech Foundation, a Meghalaya-based environmental group, has expressed grave fears over the 66-acre hospitality project at Umiam Lake, which has been entrusted to the Tata Group’s Indian Hotel Co Ltd (IHCL).
The state government has signed an agreement with IHCL, which operates brands such as Vivanta and Taj, for development of Lumpondeng island (36 acres) on the Umiam Lake reservoir as well as redevelopment of the Orchid Lake Resort (30 acres) on the water’s edge.
Green-Tech’s criticisms were varied but, in the main, they were chiefly concerned with the potential for environmental harm.
The coming of the project will increase siltation and involve tree felling, noise pollution and soil dumping, etc that will affect Umiam Lake, which is a breeding ground for local and migratory birds and aquatic life, Green-Tech said in a press note. “It shall also affect habitation of up to 40 or 50 per cent of the total species found in Meghalaya including rare migratory species with impact on breeding and mating behaviour of animal species that thrive in water bodies and wetlands.”
The foundation also said that the development is not in keeping with the spirit of the guidelines brought in by the state for development near water bodies. These guidelines were instituted following a case heard by the Meghalaya High Court on construction activity near the water’s edge. Under the 2023 guidelines, upcoming construction will have to maintain a distance of 50 metres from the lake.
Green-Tech, which said that it does not oppose other luxurious hotels and resorts in places like Shillong, Sohra, etc, also criticised the length of the lease (60 years) as being excessive and expressed concern over increased siltation that could arise from the project.
It called on the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) not to provide a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the project, especially on Lumpondeng island. The organisation also did not rule out taking the matter to court in order to stop the development.
