NGO to move NGT against cement plants

SHILLONG:  The Meghalaya Eco-Friendly Student’s Union (MEFSU) will move the NGT against nine cement plants in Jaintia Hills which have allegedly violated the various provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
“These nine cement plants have violated Section 2 of the Act which clearly states that no forest land shall be used for non-forestry purposes,” MEFSU president Rangdajied Marwein said on Tuesday.
The nine companies named by MEFSU are Adhunik Cement Limited, Amrit Cement Industries Limited, Cement Manufacturing Company Limited, Cosmos Cement Limited, Green Valley Industries Limited, Goldstone Cement Limited, Hills Cement Company Limited, JUD Cements Limited and Meghalaya Cement Limited.
Marwein also demanded that stringent action should also be taken against officials who have allowed the cement plants to operate inside the forest areas.
Lukha acidity
The MEFSU has claimed that the water of Lukha River is too acidic to support the survival of any aquatic life.
Questioning the test conducted by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MPSCB), which MEFSU president claims had found that the PH value of the water of the Lukha river is 6, the Union claimed that according to their sample test, the PH value of the water is 4.5 which is highly acidic for any aquatic life to survive.