SHILLONG, APR 15: UDP legislator from Mawsynram Olan Sing Suin said development and environmental protection must go hand in hand, referring to concerns over tourism activity at Lumpongdeng.

“I read in the newspaper that the members of the Green Tech Foundation have gone for the agitation to see that nothing should take place in the Lumpongdeng Island,” he said.

Stressing the need to safeguard the state’s ecosystem, he said, “Of course, we are concerned about the environment as we are living in a very fragile ecosystem so we have to protect and see that the environment and construction should be balanced.”

He noted that progress often comes with environmental costs, but balance is key.

“One thing, we cannot advance and we cannot progress because progress and destruction go side by side so the important thing is we have kept it in balance. We should see there is no negative impact on the ecosystem because I have seen the government has many approaches for maintaining environmental balance and ecological balance in many aspects,” Suin stated.

On tourism development, Suin said the government has already laid down restrictions for Lumpongdeng.

“So, regarding tourism development at Damsite, even the chief minister has clearly stated that all permanent structures should take place only at Orchid area not in the Lumpongdeng area,” he said.

He added that the directive is aimed at protecting the area for future generations.

“The government had stated that no permanent structure should be installed there at Lumpongdeng area because they are going to maintain the ecological balance so that the future generation should not suffer,” Suin said.