Shillong, Apr 13: Michael Syiem, member of the Maitshaphrang Tourism Promotion Group (MTPG), has expressed concern over the Lumpongdeng Island luxury tourism project.
The group had managed Lumpongdeng Island for nearly 27 years until the state government terminated the agreement in December 2024.
“We planted a variety of trees and also conserved plants that are already there,” Syiem said, adding that the group did its small part in trying to preserve the environment on the island in the face of global warming challenges.
Although Umiam Lake was artificially created with the damming of the river for a hydropower project 60-odd years ago, Lumpongdeng is an important ecological site; Syiem said that eagles nest there and it is also a haven for pangolins. He also said that the place is frequented by migratory ducks from Siberia, who come around October and stay until April.
“Wildlife is there because the forests are thick but the recent reports of felling of trees is sad,” he stated, referring to an incident last week where two individuals were arrested for illegal tree felling.
He said that MTPG is trying not only to promote tourism but also the ecology of the area. Syiem also stated that his group in 2002 started the concept of a “forest of remembrance” to promote the island, which envisions trees being planted or designated to honour deceased loved ones, creating a living legacy.
He informed that MTPG had initially taken the place on lease for 10 years and, at the end of the term, it was given the island for another five years. Subsequently the lease was renewed annually. MTPG pushed for a longer lease period as it could not take long-term initiatives with an annual lease but the government did not agree.
Nevertheless, MTPG had wanted to continue to manage the island but the state government chose not to renew it further and instead handed the island and the existing state-owned Orchid Lake Resort to the Taj group of hotels on a 60-year lease.
Syiem stated that at one time the island was the only place in the North East with a houseboat. “We had worked so much to earn fame for the island. The government instead of incentivising us by extending the lease, terminated it,” he stated.
He said that bringing such a big project as the Taj Umiam Resort and Spa will affect the homestays and smaller hotels in and around the Lumpongdeng Island as well as destroy the trees in the area.
“I feel that Lumpongdeng should be left as it is and plant more trees. Let it be a botanical garden or a tourist spot,” he added.
The government has insisted that no permanent structures will be built on the island in order to maintain the environment but critics have questioned whether this is a serious commitment.
