SHILLONG, MAR 31: The Meghalaya government has dismissed concerns circulating on social media regarding the proposed Taj Umiam Resort & Spa, stating that claims about environmental damage to Umiam Lake and Lumpondeng Island are “unfounded” and “misleading.”
In an official statement issued on Tuesday, the Department of Tourism said, “The concerns suggesting that the project is environmentally unsustainable or would adversely impact the ecology of Umiam Lake and particularly Lumpondeng Island are misinformed and misleading.”
According to the government, the project spans 66 acres, comprising 36.10 acres of Lumpondeng Island and 29.64 acres of the existing Orchid Lake Resort. It emphasised that the development is based on a “carefully considered planning process” aimed at promoting high-value, low-impact tourism while ensuring ecological protection.
The project is being executed by Umiam Hotels Pvt. Ltd., the approved special purpose vehicle (SPV), which has already obtained Consent to Establish. The company has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) to operate the property under the Taj brand.
Highlighting IHCL’s sustainability credentials, the department noted its participation in the EarthCheck Certified Programme since 2008. It also cited the Taj Madikeri Resort & Spa—developed within a rainforest ecosystem with minimal land disturbance—as a benchmark for environmentally sensitive development.
“All construction and operational activities shall be undertaken strictly in accordance with IHCL’s Taj brand specifications, which mandate rigorous compliance with design, safety, quality and sustainability standards,” the statement added.
The government further assured that the project would comply with key environmental regulations, including the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023, Waterbodies Guidelines, 2023, and norms set by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board.
It stressed that the fragile micro-ecosystem of the area, including avian and aquatic life, would be given “the highest priority” through strict biodiversity conservation measures, pollution control, waste minimisation, and long-term ecological monitoring.
