SHILLONG: Proliferation of cement industries in Jaintia Hills, including those set up by Meghalaya Cement Limited (MCL), Adhunik Cement Limited (ACL) and Cement Manufacturing Company Limited (CMCL), has threatened the environment, causing air and water pollution in the region. Taking serious note of mushrooming of cement plants in the district, Joint Action Committee of Jaintia Hills (JACJH) on Friday criticised the stand of the Dorbar of Narpuh Elaka that there was no threat from cement plants to the forest cover and sources of drinking water in the area. JACJH, an umbrella organisation of various NGOs of the district, alleged that the MCL plant with an installed capacity of 900 metric tonnes of cement per day located near Thangskai had caused heavy dust and air pollution in villages of the area. It said smoke and dust polluted by the cement plant had affected Wahiajer and Chiehruphi villages. JACJH said ever since ACL was allowed to set up its factory at Thangskai in 2006, villages, especially Lumshnong, had faced acute shortage of water with the source of drinking water supply "damaged" by the cement plant. The leading NGO said fishes in the Um Mutha, Um Soo and Lukha rivers were dying due to effluents discharged by CMCL producing 'Star Cement' brand. It also said trees had been felled indiscriminately for accommodating the plant and its ancillary units. Further, JACJH alleged that another company -- Megha Technical Engineering Private Limited (MTEPL) - was allowed by the Dorbars of both Lumshnong and Narpuh Elaka to set up a cement plant at Lumshnong without the consent of local villagers.