Green Tech Foundation Opposes Eco-Tourism Ri-Bhoi
Green Tech Foundation, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to environmental conservation, has raised a stink over a proposed eco-tourism infrastructure project inside the ecologically sensitive Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district.
In a strongly-worded letter addressed to the government of Meghalaya, Green Tech Foundation has demanded the immediate scrapping of the ₹23.60 crore project, calling it a “thin end of the wedge” that could irrevocably damage one of Meghalaya’s most treasured biodiversity zones.
The project, awarded to Delhi-based E-Factor Experiences—a firm better known for orchestrating flamboyant events and immersive tourism experiences—envisions a chalet-style resort, an interpretation centre, canopy walkways, and a water sports zone, all nestled within a sanctuary that spans a mere 29 square kilometres.
At the helm of E-Factor Experiences is managing director Samit Garg. The company, which made a splash in Shillong with the first-ever Meghalaya Age Festival in 2020, was awarded the Nongkhyllem contract in April this year. However, eyebrows were raised when it emerged that as early as January 3, the firm had already posted job listings for site managers in Shillong on an online job portal—a good three months before bagging the tender. The listing has since expired, but it has only added fuel to the fire.
Green Tech Foundation has minced no words in its criticism. “The area is far too small and ecologically fragile to support such infrastructure. The sanctuary was declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2017, and development within it is supposed to be restricted,” the letter read.
The sanctuary is home to several keystone species, including the Indian bison (gaur), leopards, and a wide array of endemic birds. A national-level Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) has rated Nongkhyllem as one of the best-managed protected areas in the Northeast—a fact that environmentalists say underscores the importance of preserving its integrity.
“There are only four wildlife sanctuaries and two national parks in Meghalaya. Projects like these fly in the face of conservation. The forest has regenerated organically over the years. Why meddle with something that nature has fixed so well?” the Foundation queried.
Citing the recent order of the Meghalaya High Court in PIL No. 2 of 2024, which prohibits the felling of trees unless they pose an imminent danger, the Foundation warned that the construction of resorts and walkways would “inevitably involve tree-cutting and the disruption of animal habitats.”
“Fun doesn’t have to come at the cost of forests. Eco-tourism should be about protecting nature, not tarting it up for selfies,” the letter pointedly remarked.
In a parting shot, the Foundation urged the state government to redirect its resources towards empowering local communities living around the sanctuary. “Invest in people, not pavilions,” they said. “Support livelihoods, build eco-literacy, and strengthen the forest economy from the roots up. That’s how you make tourism sustainable, not by carving up the jungle.”
As of now, the Tourism Department has not issued a formal response to the concerns raised. However, with conservationists up in arms and legal precedents already in place, it remains to be seen whether this eco-tourism dream will take flight or be grounded for good.
For now, Nongkhyllem’s whispering woods await their fate—caught, as ever, between progress and preservation.
What's Your Reaction?
