Violation forest rules by cement cos in Jaintia Hills
By Our Reporter
Shillong: The Shillong bench of the Guahati High Court has directed the State Government to submit a report on whether provisions of the Forest Conservation Act 1980 has been complied while granting permission of establishment of cement plants and limestone mines in Jaintia Hills.
Initiating a suo-moto public interest Litigation petition, the court on July 27 directed the government to submit the report in the form of an affidavit within four weeks time.
The court initiated the PIL on the basis of a letter submitted by the president of the Forever Green Meghalaya, Saurav Das where he alleged that 8 cement plants and 11 limestone mines were set up at Narpoh area (adjacent to Narpoh Reserve Forest) of Jaintia Hills without obtaining clearance under Forest Conservation Act 1980.
According to the letter addressed to the chief justice of Guahati High Court, Das mentioned that the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) asked the state government last year to create a High Level Committee (HLC) to find the facts relating to the establishment of these cement plants and limestone mines in Jaintia Hills.
Further, the letter stated that the HLC had submitted its report to the State Government on November 25 last year and found 8 cement plants and 1 mining company had been established in thick forest.
“In spite of finding of irregularities, no action has been taken against the cement companies or limestone mining companies in Narpoh area by the concerned authorities”, Das said in his letter.
Taking strong cognizance, the court has sought a report from the state government on actions taken up to prevent environmental degradation if there is shrinkage of forest area due to establishment of cement plants and limestone mines.
The court has also asked the government to provide details on the steps taken to preserve ecological balance as far as operation of the aforesaid cement plants and limestone mines are concerned keeping in mind the provision of the article 48A and article 51 (A)(g) of the constitution. In connection with this, the court has appointed R Kar as Amicus Curiae.