Shillong: A day after concerns were raised by the Green-Tech Foundation (GTF) over the proposed luxury resort project at Umiam Lake, the Meghalaya Department of Tourism on Tuesday issued a clarification dismissing allegations of environmental risk as “unfounded” and “misleading”.
The clarification follows a meeting between GTF members and Tourism Minister Timothy D Shira, during which the environmental group expressed apprehensions about the ecological impact of the 66-acre hospitality project. GTF had also claimed that the minister was unaware that Lumpondeng Island formed part of the agreement and that he had called for a departmental meeting to further examine the issue.
In a press release, the department stated that the proposed Taj Umiam Resort & Spa is planned across 66 acres, comprising 36.10 acres of Lumpondeng Island and 29.64 acres of the existing Orchid Lake Resort area. It asserted that the project has undergone a carefully considered planning process aimed at promoting high-value, low-impact tourism while ensuring ecological protection.
The government clarified that the project is being executed through Umiam Hotels Pvt. Ltd., a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), which has obtained the required Consent to Establish. It further stated that a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), part of the Tata Group, for operation and maintenance of the property under the Taj brand.
Responding to environmental concerns, the department maintained that all construction and operational activities will strictly follow IHCL’s sustainability standards, which emphasise environmental protection, safety and quality. It highlighted IHCL’s long-standing commitment to responsible tourism, including its association with the EarthCheck Certified Programme since 2008 and sustainability initiatives across several of its properties.
The press release also cited the example of the Taj Madikeri Resort & Spa in Coorg, which was developed within a rainforest with minimal land utilisation and no tree felling, as a model for sustainable development to guide the Umiam project.
The department further assured that the project will comply with all relevant laws and guidelines, including the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 and the Waterbodies (Preservation and Conservation) Guidelines, 2023, along with norms set by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board and other statutory authorities.
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Emphasising the ecological sensitivity of Umiam Lake, the department stated that the project will prioritise protection of the local micro-ecosystem, including avian and aquatic life, through biodiversity conservation measures, pollution control, waste management and long-term environmental monitoring.
The GTF had earlier raised concerns over the potential environmental impact of the project and questioned the decision to lease ecologically sensitive land to a corporate entity. The organisation has also submitted a petition to the Tourism Department and launched an online campaign seeking preservation of Umiam Lake.
Reiterating its position, the Tourism Department maintained that the concerns being circulated are based on misinformation and that the project is designed to balance tourism development with environmental sustainability.
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