Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News
East India Story continues its coverage of Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary as Green-Tech Foundation raises alarm against a Rs. 23.60 crore eco-tourism project threatening Meghalaya’s rich biodiversity.
For the past few days, East India Story has been keeping its ear to the ground, bringing our readers regular updates from Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary – a green gem nestled in the heart of Meghalaya. And here’s the latest: on 22nd April, the Green-Tech Foundation, Meghalaya–India, made a pivotal visit to the Sanctuary, raising the red flag against a looming Rs. 23.60 crore eco-tourism infrastructure project that’s threatening to throw the whole ecosystem into disarray.
Now, at first glance, “eco-tourism” might sound like a bit of a winner – sustainable travel, forest trails, and nature with a hint of Wi-Fi. But scratch beneath the surface, and one quickly realises it’s not all sunshine and butterflies. Conservationists are crying foul, warning that this project could wreak havoc on the sanctuary’s delicate ecological fabric – a place that harbours over 50 species of mammals and 25 species of reptiles.
Out of 140 mammal species protected under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, a staggering 30 are found here. Let that sink in – this isn’t just any forest; it’s a sanctuary in the truest sense, bursting at the seams with rare biodiversity. Risking all that for a few luxury tents and Instagram-friendly viewpoints would be, as we say, absolute tomfoolery.
Enter Green-Tech Foundation, stage left. Their Earth Day visit wasn’t just another photo op; it was a proper boots-on-the-ground mission. A press release from the organisation called it a “beacon of hope” – and quite right too. With the odds stacked and the cement mixers revving, their courageous stand might just be the last line of defence between Nongkhyllem’s pristine wilderness and a concrete-laden catastrophe.
But this isn’t just a war of words. The Foundation has thrown its full weight behind the cause, championing a passion-driven, hands-on approach to conservation. They’re not only working to protect ecosystems and wildlife – they’re also galvanising communities, particularly the youth, to become torchbearers in this fight for Mother Earth. In a time when apathy’s the norm, it’s heartening to see young people stepping up, sleeves rolled and ready to muck in.
The tug-of-war between development and preservation has always been a thorny one. But what Nongkhyllem needs now is not more footfalls, but fewer footprints. It needs protection, not projection. And Green-Tech Foundation, with its grit and gumption, is making sure that someone’s minding the shop while the powers that be fiddle with blueprints.
This might well be a case of David squaring up against Goliath – but in this tale, the sling is made of purpose, persistence, and a whole lot of heart. As we continue to follow the twists and turns of this unfolding story, one thing’s clear: Nongkhyllem deserves better than to be steamrolled in the name of ‘eco-tourism’.
Stay tuned – East India Story will be bringing you more from the frontlines of this fight to save one of India’s most irreplaceable natural treasures.
At East India Story, we’re not just about what bleeds or leads. We’re about what inspires, surprises, and reminds us all that across mountains, cultures, —there’s more that connects us than divides us.
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