Team Herald
PANJIM: With the government yet to issue sand mining licenses for the season, the Union Ministry for Environment and Forests (MoEF) has issued fresh guidelines, making it mandatory to set up an elaborate network of CCTV cameras encircling the riverbed areas of the region, to keep a check on mining activities and curb illegal mining.
Seeking to strike a balance between construction needs and environmental concerns, MoEF has come out with detailed draft guidelines on sustainable sand mining proposing strict monitoring and a crackdown on illegal mining that has been rampant in many states. The State authorities, including Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), have decided to seek certain clarifications on the draft, which has been circulated to all concerned departments.
Along with making installation of CCTV cameras along the riverbeds, MoEF has also proposed Global Positioning System (GPS) to track vehicles transporting sand.
MoEF, which sought views of all stakeholders including miners and environmentalists, has also advised use of technology like android application (APP) and unique bar-coding system to track vehicles of illegal miners and those who indulge in exploiting natural resources beyond the permissible limit.
The ministry has also recommended formation of District Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (DLEIAA) headed by the Collector and a District Level Expert Appraisal Committee (DLEAC) for granting prior Environment Clearance and for conducting environment impact assessment study.
The State has identified 26 clusters for sand mining. The monitoring committee headed by the Collector, is still in the process of scrutinizing the applications received. The state expert appraisal committee has already granted its nod for mining.
