SHILLONG: Former MLA Dr. Jemino Mawthoh yesterday visited the Chairman of the Green Tech Foundation, who is currently on an indefinite hunger strike at Malki Ground, protesting the proposed Lumpondeng Luxury Resort Project.
Expressing deep concern over the issue, Mawthoh warned against unchecked development that comes at the cost of the environment. “I don’t want the state to bleed further. We have already witnessed extensive destruction and environmental degradation in the name of development,” he said.
Highlighting the paradox of Meghalaya’s resource wealth, Mawthoh remarked, “Our state is rich, yet the majority of our people remain poor—rich land, poor people. We are being blinded by greed. We must think about our children, who represent the future generation.”
He emphasized that the concerns raised by the Green Tech Foundation are serious and require immediate attention from the government. Mawthoh called for greater clarity and accountability in the execution of the project, stressing that proper environmental clearances and transparent implementation processes are essential.
“There appear to be contradictions between official government reports and the factual data presented by members of the Green Tech Foundation. This has only deepened public suspicion regarding the nature and process of the project,” he stated.
Underscoring the importance of inclusive decision-making, Mawthoh asserted that natural resources cannot be treated as the sole property of the government. “The natural environment is a common property resource—it does not belong to the government alone. All stakeholders must be taken into consideration,” he added.
The visit comes amid growing public concern and mounting pressure on the government to ensure transparency, environmental safeguards, and meaningful consultation in the proposed development at Lumpondeng.
