Shillong, Oct 17: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) against Shillong Peak Ropeway Project on Saturday gave the state government 10 days to scrap the project at Lum Shyllong and relocate it elsewhere on environmental grounds.
The decision was taken at a meeting in front of the project site entrance after a march by JAC leaders and residents of Laban and adjoining areas. The “peaceful march” led by Green-Tech Foundation started from Last-Stop market and ended at the project site.
In a letter to the Commissioner and Secretary, of the Tourism department, signed by the JAC’s president, Deborah Marbaniang and secretary Dr Linda Marbaniang, the JAC said that this deadline follows the meeting convened by the Department of Tourism on October 15.
The committee demanded the government rethink the project to protect Lum Shyllong, warning of stronger measures with residents of Laban and Shillong if demands are not met within 10 days from Saturday.
Former Chief Secretary P Barkos Oflyn Warjri, recalling his childhood visits to the forest, said Malki forest housed water sources filtered through sandstones and that Crinoline swimming pool gets its source from Umrisa in Malki Forest.
“Lum Shyllong is sacred and source of water for many important rivers of Shillong and beyond,” Warjri said, adding that ancestors worshipped it knowing its importance.
JAC member Olivia Lyngdoh Mawlong said citizens do not want ropeways like Switzerland but want the way of life of that country. She questioned former Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh for agreeing to make Lum Shyllong a tourist destination despite acknowledging the presence of Lei Shyllong.
She said the project will reduce future generations to mere parking fee collectors and ticket sellers.
