Lafarge's plan to set up INR 900 crore cement plant in Himachal has run into environmental trouble with the National Environmental Appellate Authority quashing the clearance granted to the project by environment ministry in June 2009.
The appellate authority has also taken the ministry and the expert appraisal committee to task for their incorrect assessment of the environmental and socio economic impact of the proposed plant. Just like the Bhavanapadu thermal plant near Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh, the environment ministry is expected to withdraw clearance for the Lafarge project.
The NEAA order quashing the clearance said Lafarge erroneously represented the mining area as uncultivable. Another reason cited by the authority is its close proximity 5 kilometer to the Majathal wildlife sanctuary.
The plant is bound to create disturbance for the animals. It also recognized local opposition, which is clear from the fact that only 16 of 381 landowners have given their consent to the project. The order is based on an independent assessment by the authority in June.
(Sourced from Economic Times)
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