Shillong: Green-Tech Foundation chairman H. Bansiewdor Nonglang is raising the alarm on the Shillong Ropeway Project. He warns that the plans go far beyond the scheduled felling of 544 trees. Documents indicate the government wants to build restaurants and food courts at the two terminals. Nonglang claims this creates a massive threat of commercial exploitation at Lum Shyllong.
The foundation joined the Joint Action Committee to fight the project after residents from Laban and Lawsohtun reached out for help. Women from these areas contacted the group throughout May, June, and July of this year. Their primary concern involved the destruction of trees. The group checked the site and found the damage was already happening. "When mothers come seeking help, how can we turn them away?" Nonglang asked.
Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh questioned why the foundation decided to oppose the work. Nonglang fired back at the minister. He told Lyngdoh to get his facts straight before making public comments. The foundation spent four or five months digging into project details that they claim the government hid from the public. They also plan to protest any future threats to local drinking water sources. Nonglang remains firm on the stakes. "If we lose it once, there will be no point talking about Lum Shyllong in the future," he said.
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