Shillong, Aug 2: The Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress (MPMC) expressed concern and opposition to the large-scale felling of trees for the proposed ropeway project in Shillong.
“While we support sustainable development and improved infrastructure, development must never come at the cost of destroying Meghalaya’s precious forests and fragile ecosystem.
Trees are not obstacles to development—they are essential for clean air, biodiversity, climate resilience, and the well-being of future generations. The reported tree felling for the ropeway project has raised serious concerns among citizens, environmentalists, and community groups, while the government has stated that the project has obtained the required approvals and includes environmental safeguards”, the MPMC president Joplyn Shylla said.
She urged the state government to
Immediately review the scale of tree felling associated with the project.
“Ensure complete transparency by placing all environmental clearances and impact assessments in the public domain.
Explore alternative alignments or engineering solutions that minimize damage to the forest. Carry out meaningful consultations with local communities, environmental experts, and civil society before proceeding further.
Ensure effective compensatory afforestation and long-term monitoring of the affected area”, she said.
Shylla said the Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress believes that true progress lies in balancing development with environmental conservation. Meghalaya’s hills and forests are our natural heritage and must be protected for our children and generations to come, she added.
