16 Aug 2019  |   05:02am IST

State seeks month’s time to submit action report

State seeks month’s time to submit action report

Team Herald


PANJIM: The State Government has sought a month’s time before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) Principal Bench to submit progress report on the action initiated by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) by way of prohibitory and coercive measures including prosecution and recovery of compensation for damage to the environment due to illegal mining of minor minerals.

During the recent hearing, the applicant Goa Paryavaran Savrakshan Sangharsh Samitee, who had approached the green bench with regards to illegal quarrying of stone, basalt, rubber stones in Pernem taluka and other parts of the State, alleged that the illegal mining activities of these minerals have continued, with no action from the State. 

NGT has asked the Director of Mines and the Deputy Collector Pernem to ensure that no such activity continues further and appropriate action is instituted against the erring mining units. 

Earlier, during the hearing, Goa Government sought one month’s time to submit the action report, including steps initiated to constitute Special Task Force to deal with illegal mining of minor minerals. 

The tribunal has said that the report should be filed without fail before the next date of hearing, which is September 5.

Through an order dated April 3, 2019, NGT had directed the State to frame proper policy guidelines and Manual of Standard Operating Procedures to deal with illegal mining of minor minerals. It has also said the State should hold training programme for its officers for upholding the Environmental Rule of Law in Goa.

The tribunal had asked the Chief Secretary to monitor the progress of the action taken report every month.

As far as filling of pits and restoration of the environment is concerned owing to illegal mining, the Advocate General appearing for State has fixed a tentative timeline of six months and has assured to submit quarterly report to the tribunal on the progress.

IDhar UDHAR

Idhar Udhar