PANJIM/NEW DELHI: In a major development, the Union Ministry for Environment and Forest (MoEF) has ruled out the possibility of allowing operations of iron ore mines in the proximity of wildlife sanctuaries (WLS) and national parks. However, the central and state governments will work out a new mechanism for ‘public purpose projects’ in ecologically sensitive areas without violating rules, regulations and Supreme Court orders.
Though, it was not spelled out whether there would be an immediate outright ban or a phasing out period of 10 years as demanded by the state government, this will affect at least 24 mining leases that are within the one km of WLS.
This crucial decision was taken during a special meeting scheduled between Union MoEF Minister Prakash Javadekar and Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in New Delhi to discuss the ban slapped by the Union Ministry following the Supreme Court order on mining or any industrial activity within a kilometre of the national parks and sanctuaries.
“Iron ore mines in Goa that were operating in the proximity of national parks and sanctuaries will not be allowed, but the Centre and the state governments have worked out a new mechanism for “public purpose projects” in ecologically sensitive areas without violating rules, regulations and the Supreme Court orders,” Javadekar told media persons in Delhi soon after the meeting.
This was second meeting scheduled between both the leaders. In the first meeting held in June, Parrikar had urged the ministry to review its earlier notification of immediate outright ban on mining activities within one kilometer of WLS and national parks in the state and rather allow State to phase out mining in buffer zone in the next 10 years.
The minister said that he and Parrikar charted out the plan in a meeting with officials in attendance to go ahead with it.
“We deliberated on how we can start mining at the earliest following the law and Supreme Court judgment,” Javadekar said. Besides mining, river pollution and other issues raised in the Supreme Court ruling on the iron ore mining were also discussed, he said.
Parrikar exuded confidence that the plan agreed upon will ensure development activities in Goa are not hit because of environment considerations.
The state had also pleaded that zero buffer zone be allowed for its lone bird sanctuary – Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Chorao and one kilometer for remaining six wildlife sanctuaries -Mhadei, Netravali, Bhagwan Mahaveer and Bondal and Cotigao. The government has refused to accept three kilometres eco sensitive area (ESA) for Cotigao and one kilometre ESA for Salim Ali.
In the new mechanism, the minister said “we can fast-track the decision-making after taking correct perusal of all the issues in their totality.”
“Centre also wants to adhere to rules, regulations, laws and the (SC) judgment but still go ahead with the public purpose projects. Therefore, we have charted out the plan and we will go ahead with it,” Javadekar said.
