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)
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Collector, civic team inspect Margao wells for pollution
District Collector N D Agrawal along with a Margao Municipal team descended at the Sirvodem ward of the city following complaints of contamination of drinking water wells in the locality. After the inspection, the district collector said he suspects the contamination of one well, but hastened to add that the authorities would test the water quality of wells in the locality.
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GSPCB serves notices on 13 vessels over waste oil
PANJIM: Goa State Pollution Control Board has issued notices to transporters of hazardous waste oils, which are generated from barges, cruise ships, off-shore casino vessels and other ships docking in Goa for failing to submit the annual details regarding collection and disposal of waste oil. The notices have been served to 13 transporters under Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules 2008 asking ‘why the authorization (consent to operate) granted under said rules should not be revoked/withdrawn in view of non compliance of conditions.’
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Submit plan to make Mhadei tiger turf, MoEF directs govt
PANJIM: The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) has directed the Goa government to submit its proposal to declare Mhadei wildlife sanctuary as a ‘tiger reserve’. The demand has come at a time when wildlife enthusiasts~ particularly those working for tiger conservation~are up beat about the sighting of a tiger in the sanctuary, which appears to be a local predator. Forest Department officials had clicked photographs of the tiger moving in the sanctuary, a fortnight ago. This is for the first time that direct and conclusive evidence has been found by the forest department officials about its presence.
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Khandeparkar panel to prepare roadmap for future mining
PANJIM: The Justice (retd) R M S Khandeparkar committee has decided to examine those mining illegalities, which were not reportedly scrutinized by the Justice M B Shah Commission, rather than just verifying the irregularities and illegalities enlisted by the Shah Commission in its exhaustive report on illegal mining in Goa. More importantly, the committee plans to prepare a roadmap for future of the mining industry in the state. The committee has also decided to seek inputs from anti and pro-mining public, regarding illegal mining in Goa.
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Arlekar, Alina bat for cycling as means to control air pollution
MARGAO: Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Rajendra Arlekar and Environment Minister Alina Saldanha on Sunday batted for cycling as a means to control air pollution and protect the environment. Arlekar went a step further to say that the government of the day will be compelled to make a lane for bicycles, while expressing his happiness that many MLAs in the just concluded Assembly session have rooted for bicycle lanes on the road. In her address at the valedictory function of the rally organized by Rotary Club of Margao Midtown, the Environment Minister said that cycling at short distances will not only keep one healthy, but also help protect the air and flora and fauna. “Students and adults alike can use cycles as a means of travel to the school and markets. This will keep you fit and healthy and also save the environment”, she added.
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Sardinha blames bureaucrats for illegal mining
PANJIM: Even as he expressed confidence that the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre would finish its full term, Congress MP Francisco Sardinha today said that he wanted officials from both the Centre
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Shah Panel’s 3rd report only after SC verdict
PANJIM: The Justice MB Shah Commission's third report on illegal mining in Goa will be drafted only after the Supreme Court verdict on the petition on illegal mining in Goa is out and it will address issues of illegalities involved in transfer of leases and illegal ore exports specifically in the last five or six years before all mining in Goa was halted by the highest court in the land. Talking to Herald, Justice Shah said that he will begin "drafting the report only after the apex court clearance", and that the report would only come out after the Supreme Court order. “We are waiting for the SC to pass its verdict on the petition filed in illegal mining in Goa,” he said.
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MoEF forms 11-member panel to examine EC, dumps handling
PANJIM: Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) has constituted 11 members Expert Appraisal Committee to examine issues relating to both, environment clearances of iron ore mining leases and illegal handling of dumps in Goa. The Appraisal Committee, chaired by ex-secretary MoEF, Vishwanath Anand, has been directed to submit its report within three months by making case to case recommendations to MoEF.
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PCB declines renewal of consent to mining lease
PANJIM: Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has declined to renew the Consent to Operate of the mining lease owned by H L Nathurmal, located at Arvalem in Bicholim taluka, in the wake of Supreme Court decision to halt mining operations in Goa. “The lease holder is given liberty to apply for renewal of consent to operate once the Supreme Court and State government revoke their decision of stopping mining operations in the state,” the order issued on May 2, reads.
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House unanimously calls for Central mining package
PANJIM: The Goa Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on Thursday, with both Ruling and Opposition MLAs, unitedly urging the Central government to step in for providing financial relief for the mining dependent people of Goa and resume legal mining. The resolution, which was moved by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar urged the Centre to provide a financial package for rehabilitation of the people affected due to suspension of mining activities since September 2012. The resolution also urged the Centre to start legal mining while assuring that each mine will be ‘perfectly checked’ before allowing it to start.