TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
MAYEM: For a change, environmentalists and mining-dependent components in Bicholim taluka struck a similar chord in hailing decision of the Supreme Court in lifting the ban on mining activities in the State.
While truck operators were jubilant that the mining activities would be resumed in the State in the near future, environmentalists were also pleased that the State government would now be forced to initiate measures to ensure environmental protection while restarting mining activity.
All three legislators from Bicholim taluka, Bicholim MLA Naresh Sawal, Sanquelim MLA Dr Pramod Sawant and Mayem MLA and Deputy Speaker Anant Shet welcomed the apex court’s decision.
“We welcome the decision, but we would request the State government authorities to make efforts to increase the limit from 20 to 40 million tonnes annually,” Sawal said.
Sawant said the State government had been keen to resume mining activities as early as possible, while Shet has also hoped that the ore extraction limit would be increased from 20 million tones to 35-40 million tones.
Environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar said the Supreme Court’s decision would force the government to abide by environmental norms while resuming mining activity.
“Mining in Goa used to run without following environmental norms. However, the decision of the Supreme Court will compel the government to undertake mining activity by following environmental rules. We welcome this decision,” Kerkar said.
