Shillong, Jul 27: A group of citizens living in and around the Riat Laban area, mostly led by women, has expressed strong concern over the proposed Shillong Peak Ropeway Cable Car Project.
The locals visited the site today and expressed their resentment over the destruction of the area after seeing the felling of trees to facilitate the project.
The residents stated that the ropeway project will affect drinking water sources and there will be environmental damage from large-scale tree felling.
Although the project has been in the news for years now, the women complained that there had been no public consultation and that they had little to no information about it prior.
Deborah Marbaniang asked whether the Riat Laban Dorbar had permission from Hima Mylliem to fell the trees. She said that the residents living near the area did not know about the project.
“Before this decision was made, did you think about the consequences the public will face in the future?” Deborah questioned the authorities, adding that cutting down so many trees will negatively affect rainfall patterns, drinking water sources and fresh air. She predicted a shortage of water not just for the neighbourhood but for much of the city as Shillong Peak is an important catchment area.
The government has been touting the ropeway as a tourism draw but this did not impress Deborah, who said that visitors are drawn to Shillong for the fresh air, rain and waterfalls. “If we lose the fresh air (because of the ropeway), rainfall or waterfalls, there will be a time when no tourists will visit the state,” she opined.
Dr Linda Marbaniang, meanwhile, stated that there are lots of medicinal plants in the area and the felling of trees will destroy them all and drive out wild animals.
For Alvareen Marwein, what is important is preserving the forest as that is what was left for the present generation by their ancestors. She urged the authorities to instead build a ropeway in Pynursla, which is often cut-off because of landslides.
Meanwhile, Olivia Lyngdoh Mawlong stated that they are not against development. “This forest is like the lungs of Shillong city. Umjasai has dried up because there is less rainfall now,” she said. Referring to changes in climate, she pointed out that fans and air conditioners were unheard of in the city a few decades ago but are now a necessity. With the cutting down of so many trees, Olivia was sure that there will come a time when the public will need oxygen cylinders in their homes.
