Excavation within 1 km radius of community reserve forest to violate SC order
Guwahati, March 22: The Meghalaya government has raised objections to proposed limestone mining near the Krem Labit cave system, which is part of a designated Community Reserve Forest. Officials argue that excavation within a 1-km radius of the reserve would violate Supreme Court directives and threaten the cave ecosystem in Jaintia Hills.
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of the Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF) of Meghalaya has urged the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to conduct a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before permitting any mining activity. Meghalaya has submitted GPS coordinates and ecological survey data, stating that mining in the vicinity could affect the region’s biodiversity and geological formations.
The limestone mining blocks in Assam, including those of Dalmia Cement (North East) Ltd., are located near the Ka Krem Labit Umkyrpong Community Reserve in Meghalaya, raising concerns about potential cross-border environmental impacts.
“The Directorate of Geology and Mining Assam has called for the auction of seven limestone blocks and one iron ore block which is about 220 meters from the Cave called ‘Krem Labit’ located at Umkyrpong village of Jaintia Hills District. The Forest and Environment Department, Government of Meghalaya has already declared the area as a Community Reserve Forest under Section 36 (C) of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Thus, if the auction materializes, it will adversely impact the ‘Krem Labit’ Cave. The reading of Hon’ble Supreme Court order dated 14.02.2024 suggests that no mining activity should take place within 1 Km of Community Reserves” the letter from Meghalaya PCCF to the CEC stated.
He said the comprehensive EIA study of the entire area should be done irrespective of the political boundaries of Assam and Meghalaya and that such a study be carried out urgently, and only based on the results of the same, the permission for the mining should be considered on merit. The PCCF&HOFF has further emphasized that it is essential to ensure that mining and other associated activities do not have any adverse impact on the Krem Labit Caves and the surrounding area in the vicinity of these caves.
Meghalaya government further mentioned that it should be ensured that there is no adverse effect of mining and other attendant activities on the Krem Labit Caves and the area in the vicinity of these caves.
The Supreme Court has restricted mining within 1 km of protected areas, and Meghalaya has called for strict adherence to this guideline. In response, the CEC has asked Assam authorities to clarify the classification of mining areas and consider a joint environmental assessment before approving further projects.
The dispute is also tied to a legal battle between Dalmia Cement and the Assam government over land classification for mining operations in the Dima Hasao district. Dalmia Cement, which holds a mining lease in New Umrangso, has challenged the designation of its limestone mine as forest land, stating that it was wrongly required to obtain forest clearance under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
The CEC, constituted by the Supreme Court of India, submitted a report addressing Dalmia Cement’s claims. The company argues that it was misled into securing forest clearance and paying Rs. 56.85 crore in charges, including Net Present Value (NPV), Tree Operation Cost (TOC), and Compensatory Afforestation Cost (CAC).
Dalmia Cement’s dispute intensified after Assam issued a Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) on December 22, 2023, for the auction of seven mining blocks, including the ‘New Umrangso Limestone Block,’ which was classified as government land rather than forest land. The company contends that since its mine is adjacent to this block, it should not be classified as forest land either.
The Assam Environment & Forest Department maintains that the mining lease area falls under an Unclassed State Forest (USF) and is subject to the Forest (Conservation) Act. A site verification by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Dima Hasao concluded that the proposed mining blocks have forest cover with canopy densities ranging from 20% to 70%.
To resolve the dispute, the CEC directed Assam to conduct a drone survey to assess tree density and forest cover. The survey, conducted in collaboration with IIT Guwahati, found that the New Umrangso Limestone Block contained only 20 trees per hectare, while the Baro Hundong mining area had an average density of 42 trees per hectare. Only one patch, spanning 14.53 hectares, met the criteria for forest classification under Assam’s forestry regulations.
