Lafarge fails to get SC nod for quarrying in Meghalaya

Striking a blow in favour of environmentalists, the Supreme Court yesteday refused to lift its stay on mining activities of French cement giant Lafarge in the forests of Meghalaya, despite a clearance given to it by the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF). The court said the nod for resuming mining operations can be given to the company only after ''proper study (of environmental impact) by specialised agencies''.

A special forest bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said, ''Till the time appropriate reports (on damage to environment) are submitted by the 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.

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 Rs90 crore for the creation of a special purpose vehicle, which would be headed by the chief secretary of Meghalaya.