SHILLONG, Oct 19: The HNYF East Khasi Hills has urged the state government to shift the Shillong Literary Festival from Ward’s Lake (Nan Polok), questioning the decision to hold a major public event at a site undergoing a reported Rs 25-crore revitalisation programme.
In a representation addressed to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma here on Monday, HNYF East Khasi Hills President Stevenson Raymond Khyriem said the choice of venue was inappropriate, given the need to protect the lake’s ecological environment and preserve its tranquillity as a public recreational space.
The organisation said it was contradictory for the government to invest heavily in restoring and beautifying Ward’s Lake while permitting activities that could potentially put additional pressure on the site through temporary structures, heavy footfall, waste generation and other event-related arrangements.
While acknowledging the importance of promoting literature and cultural exchange, the HNYF maintained that such initiatives should not come at the expense of environmental conservation and the protection of public assets.
The organisation urged the government to reconsider the venue and explore alternatives such as the State Central Library, State Convention Centre and Garrison Ground, subject to availability, permissions and logistical requirements.
It also sought disclosure of the environmental assessments, permissions, waste-management plans, and other safeguards proposed for the festival, as well as details of the basis on which Ward’s Lake was selected.
The HNYF further called for a clear policy governing the use of environmentally and historically significant public spaces for large-scale events, stressing that public expenditure on restoration must be matched by responsible decisions to protect such sites.
Clarifying that it was not opposed to the literary festival itself, the organisation urged the government and the organising committee to relocate the event in the larger public interest, balancing cultural development with environmental responsibility and public convenience.