Shillong, April 10: The state government has reiterated that no permanent construction will be allowed on Lumpongdeng island under the proposed Taj Umiam Resort & Spa project at Umiam.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Tourism department stated that the Consent to Establish (CTE) issued by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) for the proposed project is a provisional document.
“Any construction activity related to the project shall be undertaken only after the final DPR is examined and approved by the Tourism department, strictly in accordance with the terms of the concession agreement, which explicitly prohibits any permanent construction on the island,” it said.
Addressing concerns raised over ecological impact of the proposed development in Umiam area, the department clarified that no permanent construction will be permitted on the island under the proposed 5-Star luxury resort.
The resort will be constructed on the land where the existing Orchid Lake Resort stands, and not on the island, it clarified.
Further, the statement noted that the decision to disallow permanent structures on the island was taken at a meeting of the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGM) chaired by the Chief Minister on July 8, 2025, prior to the issuance of the tender document.
“Only non-intrusive, seasonal or temporary structures designed using lightweight, modular and sustainable materials which can be disassembled or relocated as needed, similar to the activities taken up at Ward’s Lake, will be allowed on the island,” it said.
However, the department further noted, as per existing statutory provisions, construction is permissible on the island outside the buffer zone of 50 meters from the High Flood Level.
The mandate is given under the Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 and Meghalaya Water Bodies (Conservation and Protection) Rules 2023, according to the Tourism department.
