Shillong: The HNYF East Khasi Hills wants the Shillong Literary Festival moved out of Ward’s Lake. President Stevenson Raymond Khyriem sent a formal request to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday. He questioned why the government would pick that site for a major event while a 25-crore revitalisation programme is active.
The group argues that large events cause too much stress. They worry about trash, heavy crowds, and the setup of temporary structures. These things hurt the lake's environment and ruin the quiet nature of the park. The organisation said, "It was contradictory for the government to invest heavily in restoring and beautifying Ward’s Lake while permitting activities that could potentially put additional pressure on the site."
HNYF suggested the government use the State Central Library, the State Convention Centre, or the Garrison Ground instead. They want full transparency regarding the festival. The group is demanding to see all environmental assessments, waste-management plans, and the official reasoning behind the choice of venue.
The HNYF insists they support cultural growth. However, they believe public officials must balance these events with the protection of historical and natural spaces. They want the state to create a clear policy for hosting events at sensitive sites to ensure that public money spent on restoration does not go to waste.
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