PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the State government to file affidavit on the ecological impact of sand extraction on the river ecosystem in the State.
The court has also asked the government whether the state is ready to undertake a study to determine the depth of riverbeds and impact of sand mining activities on them.
However, adjourning the hearing to July 31, the court has directed State government to file affidavit by then.
The Directorate of Mines and Geology had renewed 270 permits for sand extraction in five clusters across the state. The department, which granted 458 permits in 2017, had also extended till the end of January the last date for such renewals.
The Mines Department had also warned that any illegal extraction would entitle the department to take all necessary action, including suspension or cancellation of permit.
Experts have warned that sand mining operations may incur profound ecological changes that could affect the entire ecosystem. An excerpt from the study reads thus, “It can affect local ecology physically, biologically and chemically. Since mining is done to a depth of up to 6mm and within 10m from the High Tide Line, operations have the potential to cause severe sea erosion.
Sand dunes have been decimated in many areas and the adverse effects of sand mining will also affect the fishing communities in many places due to coastal erosion. There is an abundance of natural erosion happening on shores throughout the world, including Goa and sand extraction only makes the problem worse. The salinisation of well and ground water too, makes for a grim picture. There is also the obstruction of the free flow of water during the monsoon, which will lead to flooding, amongst other things.
