A major controversy has erupted over the proposed luxury hospitality project at Umiam Lake, with Meghalaya Tourism Minister Timothy D. Shira reportedly claiming he was unaware of the full scope of the agreement. The revelation came following a meeting on Monday between the minister and the Green-Tech Foundation (GTF), an environmental advocacy group spearheading the opposition against the project.
The 66-acre development project, recently entrusted to the Tata Group’s Indian Hotel Co Ltd (IHCL), has faced intense scrutiny from environmentalists. The agreement involves the development of the 36-acre Lumpondeng Island and the redevelopment of the 30-acre Orchid Lake Resort on the water’s edge. IHCL, which operates global brands like Taj and Vivanta, is slated to transform these sites into high-end hospitality hubs. Following the closed-door meeting, GTF members addressed the media, claiming that Minister Shira expressed surprise regarding the inclusion of Lumpondeng Island in the deal. According to the foundation, the minister stated he did not have an “inkling” that the ecologically sensitive island was part of the lease agreement with IHCL.
In response to the concerns raised, Shira has reportedly called for an emergency departmental meeting to review the specifics of the contract and discuss the environmental implications. “The government’s motive to lease these lands to corporates does not align with our state’s environmental values,” a GTF spokesperson stated. The organization also highlighted the massive public support for their cause, noting that thousands of citizens have signed an online petition urging the government to protect Umiam Lake from commercial over-exploitation.
As the state government prepares for its departmental review, the project remains in a state of uncertainty. The outcome of the upcoming meeting will likely determine whether the “Vivanta” and “Taj” branded developments move forward or if the government will bow to mounting environmental and public pressure.