Shillong: A group of Shillong mothers and citizens are pushing back against the Lum Shillong ropeway project. They claim the current construction involves clearing trees that protect the city's environment. Deborah Marbaniang, Dr. Linda Marbaniang, Olivia Lyngdoh Mawlong, and Alvareen Marwein led the outcry on July 27. They insist that local infrastructure must not destroy the region's natural health.
"Lum Shillong is the lungs of Shillong. It provides the fresh air that we breathe every day. Destroying it is not the right way to develop the city," the group stated. They argue that visitors travel to Meghalaya for forests and hills, not man-made attractions. They fear the project will cause water shortages, soil erosion, and less rainfall.
Questions regarding the project's legality persist. Deborah Marbaniang asked if the Riat Laban Dorbar Pyllun had the required permission from the Raid Hima Mylliem to chop down so many trees. She demanded that officials release land documents to prove ownership. No public hearing ever took place. The group claims they were kept in the dark throughout the planning process.
Dr. Linda Marbaniang urged activists to step in immediately. She noted the irony of strict tree-cutting laws for private citizens compared to government-led deforestation. The group also doubted economic benefits. They labeled promises of local jobs for youth as empty rhetoric. They want the government to protect ancestral land instead of chasing unnecessary construction.
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