SC refuses to lift stay on mining by Lafarge

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to lift the stay on mining activities of French cement giant Lafarge in the forests of Meghalaya.

A special forest bench headed by Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan said: “Till the time appropriate reports (on damage to environment) are submitted by the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF), we are not inclined to accept the report of MoEF and permit the mining.”

The court asked MoEF to prepare a report about detailed and comprehensive bio-engineering plan.

The MoEF had last week, submitted in an affidavit before the court, that it had given a go-ahead to mining activities on the condition that the company work for the welfare of the locals.

Besides, the bench also directed Lafarge Umiam Mining, a sister concern of France-based Lafarge, to come out with a time-bound plan for conservation of flora and fauna of the region, apart from the comprehensive bio-diversity plan.
The MoEF had directed Lafarge to deposit Rs 90 crore for the creation of a special purpose vehicle, which would be headed by the chief secretary of Meghalaya.

The development projects, which will be solely for the local community and welfare of the tribals, could be in areas such as health, education, economy, irrigation and agriculture.

The MoEF submission came after the apex court had on April 12 directed it to take a final decision on the revised forest clearance for the 116 hectare limestone mine area in the Khasi Hills forest area of Meghalaya.