Management plan prepared for endangered species found in camera trap
Shillong, Nov 5: Environment and Social Impact Assessment of the Shillong Ropeway was conducted and reviewed at multiple levels by independent experts before granting clearance to the ambitious project, environment expert M Rahman, who is involved in the project, said on Thursday.
Amid the ongoing protest against the project, the environment expert said the project would have some impact on the environment only during the construction phase.
“This Environment and Social Impact Assessment is prepared by an independent environment expert and at my level also we have reviewed it and there are revisions,” Rahman said.
“Further, we sent it to the redevelopment bank which is the implementing agency. They have also had different tiers at their place, so their observations were also incorporated.”
He said a trap camera study was also conducted and the Forest Department was consulted.
“There are in fact endangered species. We have made the management plan for that, which we will be implementing during the pre-construction, during construction and post-construction also,” he said.
Rahman said the ropeway, once constructed, will run above the tree canopy.
“Once the rope is constructed, it will be above the tree, so the likely impact could be during construction, for which we have a mitigation plan and the bank has also already approved it,” he said.
Director of Tourism for Meghalaya B Pakyntein said the department remains open to consultation and dialogue with the protesting Joint Action Committee.
He said the JAC was repeatedly invited for talks after it submitted a formal petition, but they refused to attend a consultation.
“This morning, I requested them to attend. They felt that it is futile to keep on talking,” he said.
“We keep on opening our doors. They can come even in an informal setting to meet me or any senior officers in the department,” he added.
Pakyntein said awareness programmes and presentations have already been held for all stakeholders, including PHE and SMB, and doubts have been addressed.
He said the department is ready for further engagement.
“If the JAC wants to have another formal meeting with all stakeholders or only with us, we would definitely welcome them,” he said.
