Thaindian News

New Delhi, July 7 (IANS) Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh Thursday hailed the Supreme Court’s judgment allowing French cement giant Lafarge to mine in the forests of Meghalaya, saying that it will set the stage for reforms in environmental governance.

“The ministry believes this is a landmark judgment which will set the stage for further reforms in environmental governance,” Jairam Ramesh said.

The Supreme Court Wednesday allowed Lafarge to mine for limestone in the forests of Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills, saying there has to be a balance between environmental protection and sustainable development.

The court issued detailed guidelines and directed the central government to appoint a national regulator to evaluate different projects and ensure the protection of the environment.

“The Lafarge judgment puts in place a structure that will make the process of environmental governance more effective. The judiciary did not interfere with the decision of the ministry and has played a pivotal role in environmental and forest management,” the minister said.

The apex court’s forest bench headed by Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia vacated the Feb 5, 2010, order which restrained Lafarge from carrying out limestone mining in Meghalaya for its Bangladesh-based plant.

The $255 million Lafarge Surma Cement Project at Chhatak in Bangladesh is entirely dependent on limestone from the East Khasi Hills. The residents of Meghalaya’s Shella village, located in the vicinity of the mines, said the area is part of an environmentally sensitive zone.