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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Mines may be shut for long
Hopes for restart of Goa's iron ore mines in any near future receded on Wednesday, with the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) indicating after a hearing of over three hours here that it won't recommend lifting of the ban slapped by the court on October 5. Former environment and forests secretary P V Jayakrishanan, who chaired the hearing along with three CEC members, also indicated that the committee's recommendations will be on the Karnataka model approved by the Apex Court, for "pari pasu" implementation of rehabilitation and other measures by the Goa miners.
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Sanjivani mill wants govt to fund pollution monitor
PANJIM: The public sector Sanjivani Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd, has decided to ask the State government for funds to install online air ambient quality monitoring system, in the wake of a show cause notice issued to it by Goa State Pollution Control Board for failure to install such systems. The sugar factory officials during their hearing before GSPCB on Wednesday said that a proposal would be put up before government seeking financial assistance for installation of the system. The factory has been given one month time to complete the installation.
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Mining companies deny extracting ore in excess
PANJIM: Officials of mining firms which were hauled up before GSPCB for having indulged in excess iron ore extraction, on Tuesday refuted the charges claiming that they had not exceeded limits set out in the environment clearance (EC), granted to them by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF). During the hearing before the Goa State Pollution Control Board, the firms said that the figures produced by petitioner Goa Foundation, are contradictory. GSPCB is hearing the defence of officials of 43 mining firms, accused of extracting iron ore beyond the permissible limit. The hearing will continue till November 23.
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Syngenta, 3 steel companies agree to install online monitoring systems.
PANJIM: Syngenta India Limited, Corlim, and three other steel companies have agreed to install online stack emission, effluent and ambient air quality monitoring system, bringing the total number of companies which have agreed to comply, to eight, since Monday. While the steel production units- Shrithik Ispat, Shraddha Ispat Private Limited, and Ambey Metallic Limited have agreed to install the system and asked for four-five month time, Syngenta India Limited has sought time till August 2013 to comply.
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Govt wants CRZ norms eased for tourism projects
PANJIM: Tourism minister Dilip Parulekar has said that State’s coastal tourism projects should be exempted from Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) regulations, if they are to see the light of day. Speaking to Herald, Monday, Parulekar said, “Many of our ambitious projects are getting stalled due to CRZ regulations, which makes it virtually impossible to take forward any coastal infrastructure development to boost tourism.”
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CEC raps govt on mining info
PANJIM: The Supreme Court (SC) appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has castigated Goa government for providing inadequate and incomplete information over conditions of mines and mining illegalities in Goa for last five years ~ 2006-2011 and has directed it to furnish complete information immediately. The CEC, in a fresh letter to State Chief Secretary B Vijayan, pointed to significant inconsistencies and contradictions in the information provided to them by Directorate of Mines and Geology. The Committee termed the information provided by the Mines department, on October 28, as inadequate and incomplete and directed government to provide complete and proper information, immediately. SC has directed CEC to submit its report, essentially based on Justice M B Shah Commission report on illegal mining in Goa.
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Pollution board gives Sesa time till Dec 7
PANJIM: The Goa State Pollution Control Board began hearing the defence of 43 mining firms, which had been accused of mining iron ore in excess of production limit. Sesa Goa, from whose 20 mining leases excess ore has been mined, has been given time till December 7 to reply, after its officials requested more time to reply, Monday. GSPCB Chairman Jose Manuel Noronha said that the hearings will continue till November 24 and the final decision would be taken before end of December.
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Govt dissolves panels on eco-sensitive zone
PANJIM: Following Goa government decision on 1 km buffer zone for wildlife sanctuaries and national park in Goa, based on CEC report on buffer zones to the Supreme Court, the government has wound-up the committees constituted to identify the eco-sensitive zone for the State. Government through a notification has de-notified the six committees stating ‘Following Goa government’s decision on buffer zone following CEC report and its acceptance by Supreme Court, Goa government has decided that continuing with the committees is no longer required and accordingly it is decided to wind up the committees’.
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GSPCB to inspect United Marine’s effluent plant at Cuncolim
PANJIM/MARGAO: The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) will on Tuesday inspect the functioning of the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), of United Marine Products fish meal plant at Cuncolim from which obnoxious smell was allegedly emanating thus creating nuisance for locals. justify;">The decision was taken following a personal hearing of owner Seby D’Silva by board officials. The plant had been issued show cause notice for causing obnoxious smell and environment pollution in the vicinity.
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IFFI 2012 says no to plastic waste
PANJIM: The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa is going to see zero tolerance to plastic waste with Panjim civic authorities chalking out a plan of action to reduce and re-cycle every bit of waste generated during the ten-day festivities. This eco-friendly initiative, for the first time by the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), aims at reducing non-biodegradable waste by 50 per cent and plastic waste by 100 per cent. The CCP Commissioner Sanjit Rodrigues on Sunday said, “We are not going to allow any use of bags, bottles, drinking cups or glasses, plates of plastic or material that is non-biodegradable generally dispensed by vendors at the IFFI venues.”