Team Herald
PANJIM: Transportation of iron ore from forest areas will now be charged a fee, with the Forest Department imposing a pass system to trucks ferrying ore.
As per a notification issued on Thursday, the department has decided to issue a red coloured pass to trucks transporting ore up to 10 tonnes who will be charged Rs 200 per trip. Trucks carrying over 10 tonnes of ore will be charged Rs 500 per trip and issued a brown coloured pass.
The decision has been taken under the Goa, Daman & Diu Forest Rules, 1964. There are several mining leases operational in forest areas, and ore transportation has been going on without any fee payment to the Forest Department.
“We have imposed transportation fees to all commercial goods including iron ore,” conservator of forest Mahesh Kumar Shambu said.
Similarly, the department will issue a white coloured pass to trucks or tippers transporting timber, firewood and minor forest produce from government forests after purchase by private parties. They will be charged Rs 50 per trip.
A green coloured pass would be issued for firewood or minor forest produce from private areas and they will have to shell out Rs 100. In case of movement of timber or poles from private areas, Rs 200 would be charged and a yellow coloured pass issued.
