Shillong, Aug 8: Despite concerns expressed by residents of Riat Laban and adjoining areas regarding rampant felling of trees for the tourist ropeway project at Shillong Peak, the Meghalaya Tourism Department said the tree felling will have no impact on water and the ecology.
“There will be no threat to water catchment. The water source is ahead towards Lawsohtun, beyond Nepali School,” said Joint Secretary of Tourism Department, Rosetta Mary Kurbah who was part of the joint inspection of the ropeway project.
Officials of Public Health Engineering Department, Forest and Environment Department, Shillong Municipal Board, and representatives of Raid Laban Dorbar Pyllun also took part in the joint inspection.
According to Kurbah, the initial Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the tourist ropeway project had proposed installation of cable at 25 metres, which would have meant cutting trees across the channel. The plan was then revised.
“We asked for the cable and tower height to be raised. The new DPR provides about 40 metres of clearance,” she said.
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Stating that tree felling is restricted to six 12×12 metre tower stations, Kurbah said, “We have cut 544 trees only at tower locations, all within forest land. As per norms, we have planted 5044 trees on land acquired by the government.”
She also said that the tourist ropeway project would add to the beauty of the area’s landscape and attract more tourists to Meghalaya to enjoy ropeway ride.
On slope stability, Kurbah said that restoration work would be taken up and the Forest and Environment Department will manage greenery in the cleared areas.
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She also appealed to people having any concern or issue with the tree felling for the project to come and meet officials of the Tourism Department for clarification.
The Rs 151 crore tourist ropeway project is executed by KEC-TCL, a joint venture between KEC International and Twamev Construction and Infrastructure Limited.
