Shillong, April 21: The Meghalaya government has decided to remove Lumpongdeng Island from the proposed five-star resort project at Umiam following sustained opposition from local groups and stakeholders in Ri Bhoi district.
Officials said the agreement with Umiam Hotel Pvt Ltd, associated with the Taj Group, will be revised to reflect the exclusion of the island.
The decision followed consultations between government representatives and the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong, a body of traditional village heads. Authorities acknowledged concerns raised by residents over the ecological and cultural sensitivity of the island and opted to withdraw it from the project to prevent further unrest.
While the island component has been scrapped, the broader tourism project will continue at the existing Umiam Orchid Lake Resort site. The development will be confined to around 30 acres of land with existing infrastructure, limiting expansion into sensitive zones.
The government has formally communicated the decision to stakeholders, including civil society groups that had been protesting. One group had been on a hunger strike for nearly two weeks, demanding the island’s exclusion.
Officials maintained that the original proposal did not envisage permanent construction on Lumpongdeng Island and was intended to promote low-impact tourism. However, in view of sustained public concern, the administration opted for a complete withdrawal of the island component.
The government reiterated that the project aims to boost tourism, generate employment and support the local economy, particularly for youth, amid limited government job opportunities.
Rejecting suggestions of a policy reversal under pressure, authorities said the move reflects respect for public sentiment. The revised plan will now focus solely on developing the resort within the existing project area, leaving Lumpongdeng Island outside the scope of commercial tourism.
