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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ECs of 139 mines kept on hold
PANJIM: In what could be termed as another blow to the mining industry, MoEF has kept the ECs of 139 mines in abeyance, asking lessees to forward documents to it for verification. They have also been slapped with show cause notices as to why mines should not be closed due to various alleged violations under EPA and EC. The official suspension follows the announcement made by Union Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan during her state visit last week. This announcement from MoEF comes close on the heels of suspension of ore extraction at all mines in the state, ordered by the state government last week. The state government ordered suspension of ore extraction after disclosure by the Shah Commission that all 90 mines are operating illegally.
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Dhawlikar launches campaign against use of plastic
PANJIM: PWD Minister Sudin Dhawlikar launched a campaign against use of plastic at a function organised by Kundai Panchayat in Ponda taluka recently. On the occasion, Dhawlikar lauded the initiative of Kundai panchayat for launching awareness drive which he said would go a long way in creating mass awareness among the people about plastic and its bad effects on health and environment. Dhawalikar expressed satisfaction over the theme chosen by the Kundai panchayat “Avoid Plastic and Save Village”.
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Hearing on dust pollution in Vasco postponed
VASCO: The environmental public hearing on coal and iron dust pollution in Vasco witnessed noisy scenes, even as the meeting had to be postponed as Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) failed to serve 30 days notice. The GSPCB in a notification dated August 31 had fixed the public hearing in the Mormugao Municipal Council hall, Vasco, on Sunday. The public hearing was convened as part of the public consultation process in grant of environmental clearance for the development of 7.2 million metric tonnes per annum (MMPTA) iron-ore export terminal west of breakwater on DBFOT basis at Mormugao Port.
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Cavelossim villagers want River Sal dredged only after submission of EIA report
MARGAO: Saying that the village should be protected from soil erosion and other natural calamities, Cavelossim villagers on Sunday told the Captain of Ports not to go ahead with the dredging of mouth of River Sal till the stakeholders submit a detailed report, including Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report on the project. The village panchayat has also decided to coordinate with the neighbouring Betul panchayat and other stakeholders how to go about the issue, even as the Captain of Ports has floated a tender to dredge the mouth of the river.
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Truckers green signal closure of mines, but demand rehab package
PANJIM: After taking to the road in last year’s protest, mining truck owners have now given a green signal to Manohar Parrikar-led government over closure of the mining industry with a rider -- the All Goa Truck Owners Association (AGTOA) has asked that state government to work out a rehabilitation plan to secure their future, before closing the industry. Prior to the Friday evening meeting with Parrikar, AGTOA President Nilkhant Gawas told Herald that they have no issue if the government wants to impose a ban on the mining industry, but the decision should not be sudden.
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Mines Dept issues notice to 40 lease holders over condonation of delay in filing ‘J Form’
PANJIM: Directorate of Mines and Geology on Friday issued show cause notices to 40 mining lease holders, whose delay in filing the ‘J Form’ was condoned by the former Congress government. Interestingly, the directorate has asked lease holders to explain why action should not be initiated against them for unlawful condonation of delay, when the condonation was actually done by the government. Director of Mines and Geology Prasanna Acharya told Herald that the show cause notices were issued to owners of mining leases, who will have to reply to the notices by October 10.
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Colva yet to tide over garbage woes
The tourist village of Colva is grappling with the problem of garbage collection and disposal. It’s one of the few coastal villages still facing a ban on multi-dwelling units since the last three years for want of waste disposal mechanism. Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) report filed in the high court in July this year only showed there’s no improvement at the ground level, with the Board recommending further curbs and restrictions on further development, construction in the village until the implementation of the provisions of Rural Garbage Disposal Scheme, 2005.
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Pollution Board serves notice on Ganesh Benzoplast Ltd
VASCO: The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) on Thursday issued a show-cause notice to Ganesh Benzoplast Ltd in connection with the sulphuric acid spillage at the port on Wednesday. Speaking to Herald, GSPCB Member Secretary Levinson Martins said the Board has issued a show-cause notice demanding to know why consent should not be withdrawn to the company to store sulphuric acid and other liquid materials at its tanks in Sada Bogda.
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Recover illegal mining profits: activists
PANJIM: Though State Government had initiated a few steps, following disclosure of the magnitude of illegalities in mining by Shah Commission report last week, activists, however, do not seem to be satisfied. Now that illegalities of mining companies have come in full public view, they expect that mining companies should be compelled to pay back illegal profits cornered by them during last few years.
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Popular upsurge against mining
PANJIM: The large group of activists and concerned citizens who descended on the Goa State Pollution Control Board office on Tuesday have demanded the government shouldn’t renew even a single ‘consent to operate’ licence and instead reject the applications for renewal filed by the 90 operational mines by September 25. ">Additionally, they demanded action against mining leases for operating without consent over the last many years. Chairman of GSPCB José Noronha has promised to take up their demands in the September 25 Board meeting.