The environmental clearance has been granted to Star Cement for expanding its limestone mining project in Brishyrnot village, East Jaintia Hills district.  

A public notice informed the public that the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, cleared Star Cement Meghalaya Limited for its mining lease area of 42.051 hectares. The area has a production capacity of 2.507 Million TPA (tonnes per annum) of limestone and 0.217 Million TPA of shale.  

Recently, many local NGOs have protested against the privatization of such projects, which put might environment at risk for self-benefits. Many believe that the limestone mining project will pollute the environment. There were major protests in November 2020, because of concerns that suggested that the project would be near Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary and Wah Lukh, adversely affecting the territory.  

Due to stiff opposition, Meghalaya CM, Conrad K Sangma had to cancel the public hearings on the issue. Several projects in Meghalaya stood out as something that might have a considerable impact on the environment.