Approximately 39 per cent of the land under nine cement plants in Meghalaya has been found to be a ‘forest’ area, a report by a team formed after a directive from the Supreme Court has indicated.

The joint inspection team (JIT) was constituted in July 2011 for a probe into alleged violation of environmental norms by the cement plants. The JIT comprises additional principal chief conservator of forest (MoEF) BN Jha and Meghalaya chief conservator of forest CP Marak besides officials from government departments, local tribal councils and the cement plants concerned.