Green-Tech Foundation, Meghalaya - India and the public at large firmly and vehemently stand to oppose and object the development of a 5-Star luxury resort and spa at Lumpongdeng island in Umiam Lake, Meghalaya and any kind of construction that shall adversely affect the pristine surrounding of Umiam Lake.

Lumpongdeng island lying at the heart of Umiam Lake is under environmental threat with mass destruction due to a corporate development where the state government of Meghalaya via. the Tourism Department, Government of Meghalaya had handed over/transferred a score of land measuring about 66 acres more or less to Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), part of Tata Group’s Hospitality for the development of a Luxury Taj Resort and Spa at/in or around Umiam Lake/Reservoir, Meghalaya.

The advent of the project shall increase siltation of Umiam Lake and construction for a luxury 5-star resort and spa shall include tree felling, noise pollution and soil dumping etc. which will affect the biodiversity of Lumpongdeng island and Umiam Lake which is a breeding ground for local and migratory birds, other avian species and aquatic life that are even at this moment facing threat of survival due to heavy contamination of pollutants.

The project shall also affect habitation of upto 40 or 50 percent of the total species found in Meghalaya including rare migratory species with impact on breeding and mating behaviour of animal species that thrive in water bodies and wetlands inclusive of the lush green aged trees, flora and fauna, and aquatic life and a vast range of biodiversity. 

The project shall also alter the ecological fragile systems and the pristine surrounding of the Lake. Inevitably, it will destroy the natural beauty of the Lake because construction will establish artificial set-ups that do not resonate the natural surrounding and earth digging for construction inasmuch disturb the natural gradient and topography of Lumpongdeng island.

The Lake has been widely known and with deep remark not only for its serene beauty and natural heritage but also one of the largest hydro-project in the state of Meghalaya with a capacity of 176 MW. 

Green-Tech Foundation, Meghalaya-India being stewards in environmental preservation and conservation has deep and heartful concern upon the surrounding environment of the Lumpongdeng island and the Lake which is rich in flora and fauna when it comes to any major development threatening the very pristine nature of this natural heritage.

Indeed, the Luxury Five Star development shall inevitably involve major constructions, land levelling/toiling, approach roads, heavy machinery, tree felling, soil dumping and all the likes that are required for a major development. And it cannot be overlooked neither ignored that Lumpongdeng island being the clutch and soul of a pristine natural aura enriched with lush green aged trees, flora and fauna, and a vast range of biodiversity (as have been recorded in various independent and collective studies) and the surrounding of the Lake would not undergo vast transformation with an area expanding over 66 acres more or less. These very reason keeps us with questions that require immediate answering let alone our perception that Umiam may be kept in such a position that disintegrates from a rich ecological biodiversity to a degradation of ecology and fragile native species which may occur gradually if not instantly.

Let us jointly raise this issue together and stand united in making our voices heard before the concerned authorities as follows:

THEREFORE, we firmly stand under the fundamental rights enshrined under the Constitution of India and do hereby seek/demand that the Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya shall completely withdraw the scheme by which land (Lumpongdeng island) has been handed over to IHCL (Tata Group).

AND that, the Department of Tourism shall halt the process for development of any kind of 5-star luxury accommodation/construction at Lumpongdeng island.

AND that, any kind of construction/modification that is intended to come up on the existing Orchid Resort at Umiam shall strictly adhere to all norms, rules and regulations and guidelines implemented by the State and Central Government especially maintaining vast distance from the Reservoir/Lake and the pristine environment thriving in and around Umiam Lake/Reservoir.

"Stand united for Lumpongdeng island and Umiam Lake before the clock runs out. Once it's gone, it's gone forever."