Concerns over the environmental impact of the proposed ropeway project at U Lum Shillong continue to grow. Representatives from local civic and environmental groups have already met with the Chief Executive Member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council to submit a formal plea against the felling of trees in the area.
Following the growing outrage over the scale of tree felling for the Shillong Peak ropeway project, delegation members met with the KHADC Chief Executive Member to voice their concerns. According to the representatives, the CEM confirmed that enforcement officials were dispatched to inspect the site last week and assured them that the matter will be addressed under District Council regulations.
The delegation members said the KEC International Ltd – Tantia Construction Ltd JV has not obtained a Trading Licence from the Council and has also not secured a No Objection Certificate from the Hima Mylliem.
Last year, a PIL was also filed in the high court, following which the court had asked for a comprehensive report on the project.
Already hundreds of trees have been felled in the area. But why exactly are we having this project? The state government proposed this passenger ropeway project between Shillong peak and Lawsohtun in 2022. The aim is to reduce traffic congestion and add value to the tourism sector. But this at what cost?
Let’s consider the traffic congestion argument. The six-lane Shillong-Dawki road is being constructed and it will take care of the growing traffic flow. An additional ropeway will barely divert a major chunk of the visitors from the road.
Now, as far as the value-addition to tourism is concerned, the biggest value that Meghalaya offers to visitors and tourists is its natural beauty and green hills. If this greenery vanishes to build an infrastructure that has little or no value in daily life, then the state will have little to offer.
Apart from this, the strongest argument against the ropeway project is the environmental degradation. Shillong has seen unprecedented rise in temperatures in summer in the past few years, and with every passing year, it is increasing. Rainfall has become erratic and landslides are frequent. Rapid deforestation has already affected the climate of the place and further degradation will only add to the disastrous consequences.
This apart, Lawsohtun has catchment areas which are sources of fresh water for the localities in the vicinity and down the hill. A large-scale deforestation will only impact this. This is besides the natural beauty that Lawsohtun and the forest around it offer.
The particular site that has been chosen is part of the forests, and ironically, close to the local office of the forest department.
The delegation that met the KHADC chief clarified that it does not oppose general infrastructural development in the state, but it strongly objects to the chosen site for the project, citing severe environmental repercussions for Shillong’s primary natural resources.
Meghalaya has not one but several instances within and outside the state to learn from. Mindless development, deforestation, dams, hydro projects etc have boomeranged on humanity and man-made calamities have been killing hundreds each year. Meghalaya itself has suffered owing to erratic rainfall and landslides. And yet, it continues to plan for a development that would bring more harm than good.
Instead of investing in ropeways, the government should focus on improving the existing infrastructure and facilities. There are no proper toilets for tourists in the city, water remains a perennial problem in every locality in Shillong and roads are congested because there are illegal parkings on city roads. Let the government first find a way out of this existing mess before it gets on a spree to destroy the state’s natural assets.
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