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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Illegal mine operator booked for forgery
PANJIM: Crime Branch Monday registered an offence of forgery related to illegal mining involving one Shripad Korgaonkar, who allegedly attempted to renew a mining lease which was actually in the name of a deceased person. Director of Mines Prasanna Acharya in his complaint to the crime branch alleged that Korgaonkar cheated the Centre and the State by submitting forged ‘J form’ to the department in an attempt to renew mining lease, which belongs to a deceased person.
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SC appointed panel to arrive on Oct 18 for inspecting mines
PANJIM: The members of Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee (CEC), who have been asked to submit an inquiry report within four weeks, on the conditions of mines in Goa and any illegal mining activities, would be arriving in Goa on Thursday (Oct 18), even as officials seemed to be unaware of details of their arrival. Sources said that the committee will conduct the inquiry based on the findings of Justice M B Shah Commission report, which had pointed out to several irregularities and illegalities in the mining sector.
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Pollution board to review air, water consent of 107 mines
PANJIM: In the wake of Supreme Court order suspending mining operations in the State, including halt on transportation of iron ore, Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has decided to hold a special
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Companies challenge GSPCB’s authority to question on excess ore production
PANJIM: The mining companies have challenged Goa State Pollution Control Board’s (GSPCB) authority to question them on the excess ore production and Environment Clearance (EC) certificates issue, claiming that it is for the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) to take a stand on these aspects. GSPCB is currently hearing defence of 48 mining companies, regarding the authenticity of documentation for ECs, issued by MoEF. The hearings, which begun last week, were held following High Court order in a petition filed by Goa Foundation.
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With mining down, Goa now pins hope on tourism
PANJIM: While the mining industry has taken a beating this season, Goa’s tourism industry is upbeat as its season begins this week. Stakeholders, even though upset with delays and discrepancies are being cautious so as not to upset the tourism applecart which would probably bring some solace to the State economy. In fact the hotel industry claims that this year would bring in more tourists particularly domestic tourists who continue to be the high spending segment over and above international and charter tourists.
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Agriculture bites the dust in mining talukas
PANJIM: While Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s ambitious March Budget for 2012-13, held out a major promise to boost agriculture through mechanized farming, talukas of Sanguem, Quepem, Sattari and Bicholim are witnessing its slow death with the onslaught of mining. Now there appear to be little hope for the growth of agriculture in these four talukas where it was once the mainstay. The talukas constitute 67 per cent of state’s geographical area, but sustained devastation has ensured that their green topography has disappeared due to the assault from mining activities.
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All 42 mining leases have submitted replies: Acharya
PANJIM: Director of Mines and Geology Prasanna Acharya said on Wednesday that all 42 mining leases, which were issued show cause notices for illegal condonation of delay last month, have filed their replies and a decision with regard to the status of the condonations would be taken by end of this month. Acharya also said that the decision pertaining to illegal encroachments, as identified in Justice MB Shah Commission Report, would be also taken by Oct-end. State government, on September 10 had issued show cause notices to 42 mining firms, returnable by October 10, to explain why action should not be initiated against them for unlawful condonation of delay and why they should not be declared as null and void.
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Goa v/s Bellary: The human cost of mining
PANJIM: Illegal mining is a common thread between the state of Goa and the district of Bellary in Karnataka, yet parallels cannot be drawn between the two regions. Goa and Bellary have been in the news since illegal mining in the two regions came into sharp focus. The Supreme Court ban on mining in both areas has brought the issue out in sharp relief. The mining industry figures prominently in the economics of the two regions but there are basic variations in structures that cannot be ignored, which the mining lobby in Goa conveniently overlooks; quite apart from the parallels drawn between two BJP chief ministers, that is.
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Dry wells, parched throats are illegal mining legacy...
PANJIM: As further indication of the environmental devastation caused by unregulated illegal mining in the State, at least 178 wells have been sucked dry in Bicholim, Shirgao and Pissurlem over the last few years, even as these areas have been receiving adequate rainfall, say experts and environmentalists. Villagers paid heavy costs as they had to abandon 22 wells in Bicholim, 76 in Shirgao and 80 in Pissurlem which were their traditional sources of water, as the water table beneath just slipped as illegal mines pumped thousands of litres of water out of mining pits, wasting the precious resource.
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16-pt program to check air pollution in Margao, Vasco
MARGAO: In a bid to control air pollution in the port town of Vasco and Margao, the district authorities have outlined a 16-point program to check increasing air pollution in the two towns, with a suggestion to make pollution check compulsory for all vehicles entering the State. The program was discussed at a meeting chaired by the District Magistrate, South N D Agarwal with representatives of petroleum companies and other agencies, including the RTO and civic bodies.