Govt assures a new CZMP with people’s views
Plan to be drafted by Environment Department in consultation with CZMA, GSPCB, scientists PORVORIM: In a major victory to the people, the State government on Tuesday announced it woud draft a fresh
Herald (Panjim)
-
MPT witnesses decline in iron ore exports for 2011-12
PANJIM: The Mormugao Port Trust witnessed a 27% decline in iron ore exports for the year 2011-12 as compared to the previous year, bringing down the total traffic handled at the port by 22%. Revealing figures for the financial year 2011-12, Chairman of Mormugao Port Trust P Mara Pandiyan said that the decline was both due to internal problems like illegal mining as well as a global economic recession that all ports were facing. He however said that the operating income of the port increased by 4%.
-
Opposition building up against proposed Fatorda lake project
MARGAO: Opposition is building up against the proposed Fatorda lake project with farmers and NGOs alike vehemently objecting to the project tooth and nail on Wednesday. They conveyed a message loud and clear to the government and the Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardessai that they are firmly opposed to the proposed lake project. They raised apprehensions that the project would displace them from their ancestral fields.
-
Mines to be classified as Green, Brown, Red
PANJIM: In a major exercise, Mines and Geology department will now classify all the 90 mining leases based on their legal status by appointing two teams which will visit all the mines. Director of Mines and Geology Prasanna Acharya said that all the mining leases would be coded in three different colours – green, brown and red.
-
Monitoring panel to inspect mines’ safety
PANJIM: State government appointed mining monitoring committee will begin inspecting 90- odd operational mining sites from April 1 onwards to ensure that the required safety precautions are in place. Action in form of cancellation of mining leases would be initiated if companies fail to adhere to the revised safety norms, which has made it mandatory for mining firms to get the surface rights of the area surrounding their mining, which is likely to be affected with the mining activity.
-
Mining within permissible limits, says Parrikar
PANJIM: While all eyes are now on Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to see what action he initiates to stop illegal mining, he has said that mining cannot go beyond sustainable capacity of the State. Currently ore extraction is pegged at 55 million metric tons. This figure had come down to 30-42 million metric tons, said Chief Minister while replying to a question about how he would manage to make up for revenue loss once petrol price is brought down as promised by BJP in its manifesto.
-
Union Mines ministry urges Goa to clear backlog of lease applications
PANJIM: The Union Mines ministry has asked Goa government to launch a special drive to clear the backlog of 1144 application of mining leases pending with them. As per the quarterly report submitted by state government, Goa has 765 fresh pending applications which includes 12 Reconnaissance Permits (RP), 660 Prospecting Licence (PL) and 93 Mining Leases (ML).
-
Shah Commission to submit illegal mining report soon
PANJIM: Trouble seems to be far from over for state Congress Party, as Justice M B Shah Commission is preparing to submit its crucial report on illegal mining in Goa. The commission in September 2011 had begun its investigation into illegal mining which lasted for over a month. It had observed large scale illegalities in mining, which was mushrooming in the absence of government machineries.
-
Ecological panel recommends cancellation of 44 mining leases around wildlife sanctuaries
PANJIM: In a major set back to the mining industry, the Western Ghats Ecological Expert Panel (WGEEP) has recommended cancellation of 44 mining leases in and around the wildlife sanctuaries (WLS) in Goa. The panel headed by Prof Madhav Gadgil has exposed existence of 44 leases in and around the sanctuaries, which need to be canceled permanently. “Most mining leases are located in and around WLS and forest areas.
-
DMC issued show cause notice by for extraction of ore beyond permissible capacity
PANJIM: One of the State’s oldest mining company, Damodar Mangalji and Company Limited (DMC) has been issued a show cause notice by Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) for extracting ore beyond its permissible capacity. The notice dispatched on February 8 has stated that the DMC owned Band Doncol iron ore mine in Pissurlem has violated provisions of Mineral Conservation and Development rule, 1988.
-
Almost 40 Goan Overseas Associations campaign to save Goa
PANJIM: The campaign to save Goa from incessant mining has now got a global linkage with almost 40 Goan overseas associations joining hands against mining activity at the cost of environment. The associations representing the Goan Diaspora in Australia, Canada, UK, Middle East, East Africa and Portugal have come under one umbrella called Save Goa Campaign UK, which on Friday submitted a petition to Goa Governor K Sankaranarayanan’s office and to Chief Minister Digamber Kamat.