Shillong, April 10 : Is development coming at the cost of the environment? The debate has intensified in Meghalaya as protests against the proposed Umiam resort project escalate.What began as an indefinite sit-in by the Green-Tech Foundation (GTF) at Lumpongdeng Island has now taken a sharper turn, with GTF leaders and chairman launching a hunger strike in front of the Secretariat. The agitation has also received support from the VPP youth wing, adding momentum to the protest.Why are activists opposing the project?GTF maintains that the proposed resort could damage the fragile ecosystem of Umiam Lake and lead to loss of community control over land. The group has demanded that the government cancel the land allotment, warning that the environmental impact could be irreversible.What is the government’s plan?The Meghalaya government has partnered with Indian Hotel Company Limited (IHCL), part of the Tata Group, to develop a hospitality project at Lumpongdeng Island and redevelop Orchid Lake Resort. The project aims to boost tourism, generate employment and strengthen the local economy.Can development and environment go together?While the government insists the project will follow eco-friendly norms, protesters remain unconvinced, arguing that environmental protection and tribal land rights must come first.What happens next?With protests intensifying and a hunger strike underway, pressure is mounting on the government to respond, turning the issue into a larger test of development versus conservation in Meghalaya.