BY GERARD LOBO
TIVIM: The State government’s two-year ban on sand extraction did not deter traditional extractors from illegally pursuing the trade. But many sand extractors from Colvale and surrounding areas are not rejoicing over the government’s recent proposal to resume legal sand extraction after the monsoon and are, in fact, unhappy about cumbersome procedures to obtain a sand extraction licence.
Speaking to Herald, some sand extractors said they have been extracting sand as their traditional occupation. “Despite the ban, we were forced to extract sand as it is our only livelihood for many generations. I had a valid licence to extract sand till 2009-10,” said Anand Halankar, a traditional sand extractor from Colvale.
“We earn barely Rs 250-300 per day and the peak season to extract sand is between March and May. Sand extraction is risky during monsoon when water levels are high, while in the remaining months, the activity is less,” said Halankar.
Halankar claimed that sand extractors had, in fact, played a key role in providing direct or indirect employment. “Carpenters are allotted work to build canoes, while labourers earn daily wages and truck drivers are hired to transport sand to the construction industry,” added Halankar.
Another traditional sand extractor, Babani Salgaonkar, a member of the North Goa District Committee constituted by the Directorate of Mines and Geology on January 18, admitted that people were extracting sand for their living despite the two-year ban.
“It’s almost three years since I stopped extracting sand, but we are thankful to the State government for planning to legalise sand extraction,” said Salgaonkar, who is also a panch of Colvale.
Salgaonkar was, however, apprehensive about the cumbersome process for a licence to extract sand.
“One has to apply for a licence by August 12 and a lot of documents are needed, making it difficult for sand extractors to apply for them,” he said.
According to Salgaonkar, the documents to be submitted include a 15-year residence certificate from the Taluka mamlatdar, registration of canoes with Captain of Ports, the labour department’s certificate of registration, Form I & XIV of the land and an NOC from the landowner, where sand will be unloaded/stacked/transported.
In addition, applicants need to submit an affidavit stating that he is from the local community and that, his livelihood depends on sand extraction by manual means.
“Chapora River area is divided into four zones, Pirna, Colvale, Camurlim and Nadora, to restrict sand extraction of one family to one zone only,” said Salgaonkar.
He said some sand extractors recently met Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar with their grievances regarding documents needed for the licence.
“A request was made to extend the deadline to submit applications along with required documents. There are issues regarding the certificate from the labour department. Besides, landowners are not prepared to give NOCs to dump the sand, while in other cases, the whereabouts of some landowners are unknown,” said Salgaonkar.
“The chief minister has assured to simplify the process to apply for the licence. He asked the extractors to apply for the licence with whatever documents they have with them and they will be given more time to produce the remaining documents,” Salgaonkar added.
Asked what could be consequences if sand extraction is stopped, Salgaonkar replied: “There is a company in Goa which uses artificial sand by crushing basalt stones (khadi) and it is almost the same price as sand extracted from the riverbed. But if the government decides to permanently shut down sand extraction, alternative employment should be provided to ensure the survival of traditional sand extracting families.”
