Clarifies it is not against mining, but supports sustainable development
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Goa Foundation, the petitioner in the Supreme Court, in its submission before the court’s six-member expert committee on capping of iron ore, has recommended gross capping of 5 million tons per annum with complete ban on export from the State, clarifying that the foundation is not against mining, but supports sustainable development.
The six-member expert panel appointed by the apex court is in Goa to conduct a macro environment impact assessment (EIA) study on what should be the ceiling on annual excavation of iron ore from Goa, considering its ore resources and carrying capacity by keeping in mind principles of sustainable development and inter-generational equity and other relevant factors.
The committee members include ecologist Dr C R Babu, geologist Dr S C Dhiman, mineralogist Prof B K Mishra, forest officer S Parmeshwarappa and the Goa principal secretary Parimal Rai. The committee is in Goa till January 24.
Members on Wednesday held marathon meeting with nearly 10 government departments officials including Mines, Forest, Goa State Pollution Control Board, Water Resources, Agriculture, PWD, TCP and Captain of Ports department, where petitioner Dr Claude Alvares was also invited.
Supreme Court has asked the committee to submit an interim report on capping by February 15. Directions have been issued to all the departments by the committee to furnish mining data latest by January 27, when the members would be revisit the State.
While Forest Department has asked to submit details such as mining in forest area and dumps lying in the protected area, GSPCB has to furnish data on the quality of water and air pollution in mining area. Similarly, Water Resources Department has to provide data on ground water table and the PWD on roads’ carrying capacity.
Speaking to media persons soon after the meeting, Alvares said that Goa Foundation has recommended cap of 5 million tons per annum with complete ban on export. He said that only 40 million tons of iron ore reserves are left for future generation according to Union Mines Ministry figures, and there is need to preserve it.
Alvares said that the ban on export will help India based iron and steel industries to procure local ore at lower rates instead of importing it from foreign countries at higher price. “We are not against mining but we also need to see the carrying capacity of the State for mining and transportation of mineral ore,” the petitioner added.
The State government in its Mineral Policy 2013 has already fix gross capping of 45 million tons annually which includes 20 million tons fresh extraction and 25 million tons from dumps. The same has also been placed before the Supreme Court.
