Shillong, April 16: The recent controversy surrounding Lumpongdeng Island has raised some serious issues that go far beyond only ecological concerns. From the environmental point of view, Umiam Lake is not just a scenic landmark it is deeply embedded in the ecological and cultural fabric Meghalaya. And Lumpongdeng Island is regarded as an environmentally sensitive zone.
While tourism development is need of the hour, the Government must carefully consider ecological impact before green signalling any project. Negative ecological impact will have far reaching consequences on Meghalaya and our people.
There are a whole host of tourism projects on the cards and all of these are on Government lands which means Government land is fast dwindling in the state which is a cause for concern. In Meghalaya there are vast portions of prime land which are owned by private parties.
The BJP urge the Govt to consider tying up with such land owners for large tourism projects. Private involvement would not only save Govt owned land from disappearing, but would also give financial and other benefits to private citizens of Meghalaya. Govt land should be kept for other developmental projects, like power plants for example.
Also, while construction companies from outside the state are always welcome; we do learn from their rich experience after all. But a certain percentage of labour and other workers must be hired locally, from the indigenous population. What is the point of development and gigantic projects if the local population remains deprived of economic and skill development benefits?
There are local people who would like to utilize their land for business ventures and projects. Unfortunately they are met with such high registration fees that plans turn into unfulfilled dreams.
High registration fees are feasible for big businesses and not for common citizens. We request the Govt to lower fees for the local population, to create a level playing field.
That way people of the state can benefit economically from the development of Meghalaya, said Mariahom Kharkrang Chief Spokesperson BJP Meghalaya in the press statement issued to the media today.
