Shillong, June 21: Cabinet Minister Hamletson Dohling has written to Union Minister of Forest, Environment and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar for withdrawal of the environmental clearance granted to Star Cement Meghalaya Ltd.
The clearance was for expansion of limestone mining project at Brishyrnot in East Jaintia Hills district.
“I request you to kindly reconsider withdrawing the said environmental clearance for the welfare of the people of the area and East Jaintia Hills district as a whole,” Dohling said in the letter.
The PDF leader said the issuance of environmental clearance by the ministry of environment, forest and climate change impact assessment division was despite stiff opposition from villagers and NGOs in the public hearings held on three occasions.
“It seems that the environmental clearance has been issued based only on the recommendation of deputy commissioner, East Jaintia Hills by considering exempting the project from the requirement of the public hearing as part of public consultation and written submissions,” Dohling said.
He said the villagers and various NGOs of the state have opposed expansion of the project since it will affect the environment and pollute the Lukha river and also affect the Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary located adjacent to the mining area.
