SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: In spite of clear directives from the High Court of Bombay at Goa instructing the State government and police to crack down on illegal sand mining, the problem persisted.
O Heraldo reported on how the illegal sand mining surfaced in the Tiracol River during the Ganesh Chaturthi week. The recurring issue left locals exasperated, with some describing it as a pattern where illegal sand mining gains momentum once the monsoon season subsides.
The Ugvem Gram Sangharsh Samiti sent a letter to authorities, including the Superintendent of Police, North Goa Collector and Directorate of Mines and Geology. The letter included a list of individuals and locations involved in sand extraction and storage but it did not receive desired response from the authorities who were found to be passing the buck.
The complainants expressed frustration that despite the High Court’s clear instructions, illegal sand extraction in the Tiracol River continues unchecked.
O Heraldo campaign against illegal sand mining
The monsoons are going, the sand mafia is coming
Despite the High Court ordering Goa government and the police authorities to curb illegal river sand mining activities, the menace resurfaced in Tiracol river during the Ganesh Chaturthi week, the villagers of Ugvem, Porascadem Satose and Satarda, said on Tuesday.
This is a pattern. When the monsoon leaves, the sand mafia enters. In the recent letter sent to the authorities, including the Superintendent of Police, Collector (North Goa) and Directorate of Mines and Geology, the Ugvem Gram Sangharsh Samiti has given a list with names of people and locations where the extracted sand is stored and supplied. But the PI of Pernem lives in blissful denial.
Rachol locals claim illegal sand mining activity in their village
Despite a High Court directive asking the State government to enforce strict measures against sand mining, illegal sand mining is being allegedly carried out near ferry point at Rachol in Salcete taluka. According to the locals, these activities are being done mostly during the night time. They have decided to write to the local panchayat and the Captain of Ports, demanding immediate action against the miscreants. The incident underscores the challenges in preventing illegal activities in the region, especially in environmentally sensitive areas.
Ongoing illegal sand mining appears to be tip of the iceberg, says High Court
Expressing its serious dissatisfaction over the failure to prevent illegal sand mining, the High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday asked the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) to file a detailed action plan by December 12, indicating the names and details of police officials, deputy collectors and nodal officers who will be responsible in the talukas of Bicholim, Ponda, Tiswadi and Pernem. The action plan will give the Court details about rigid inflatable boats and unmanned aerial vehicles as referred to by the DGP in his affidavit dated April 17, 2023. Despite assurances in the said affidavit, it appears that illegal sand mining has resumed, it said.
