MAPUSA: The Camurlim panchayat and the villagers have opposed sand mining in the village and demand that the government take immediate steps to stop the activity.
The panchayat members and the villagers allege that the sand mining lobby continues to work in connivance with the government officials to ensure that the activity is carried out smoothly. Over 300 trips of sand transported on a daily basis, they said.
Camurlim Sarpanch Vishant Naik Gaonkar pointed out that over the last three months rampant illegal sand extraction is being carried out in his village.
“This (sand extraction) is leading to total destruction of the village which comes under the eco sensitive zone. Over 50 trucks are plying in this area and there is sand scattered everywhere on the roads making if risky for commuters. From 3 am the sand the trucks start leaving from the village and every day undertake nothing less than 300 trips,” he said.
“We have made a letter to the Mines Department in regards to the same asking them to furnish a copy of the licence issued by them. Till today we have not received anything. I do not think that any of these people have the required permission to carry out sand extraction. We have written letters to most of the departments concerned, but we have not received any reply. The authority is allowing it to run because there is huge amount of money involved in this illegal activity,” he said while addressing the media along with other panch members at Mapusa on Friday.
“We would like to request the government to intervene in the matter and crackdown on the illegal sand extraction being carried out as well as the officials from the Police, Captain of Ports, Collectorate, Mines Department who are hand in gloves with the illicit sand miners. One can recall that on Thursday a truck was stopped in Bicholim as it was found transporting sand illegally. Later it was confiscated as it carrying sand without permit. This was a commendable job but why are they not carrying out raids in Camurlim,” Gaonkar said.
A Camurlim panch pointed out that there seems to be no limitation on the amount of sand being extracted. “We do not want sand mining in our village — be it legal or illegal. Why is it being carried out against the will of the people? If the sand extractors have the licence why are they carrying out this activity between 3 am and 9 am? Should we leave our village because of these few people with vested interest who are destroying our land? We are fighting for the last one year, but no action has been taken by the government in the matter. The full area in Camurlim comes under sensitive zone. The fishermen community is also being troubled due to this activity,” he said.
During the course of the briefing it was also revealed that before the Mamlatdar jeep reaches the spot the trucks involved in sand extraction are alerted and they clear the spot. The panchayat has written letters to all the authorities concerned in the matter but no action is being initiated.
