MARGAO: In connection with the contempt petition regarding illegal sand mining in the State, which the High Court was hearing, the Goa Rivers Sand Protectors Network (GRSN) through its Advocate Norma Alvares, expressed satisfaction that the detailed plan that had been submitted by the joint panel of concerned authorities has been implemented in full.
On Monday evening, during the hearing before the Goa Bench of the Bombay HC, Adv Alvares further stated that due to the authorities sticking to the action plan, there have been no cases of illegal sand mining reported in the last month and a half, since the last hearing.
The HC bench adjourned the matter by two months and observed that if the government continues adhering to its earlier directions, then it would consider disposing of the contempt petition.
It may be recalled that on December 7, 2023 the HC had pulled up the State government then, over its failure to prevent illegal sand mining and had asked the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) to file a detailed action plan by December 12.
The HC had then observed that the affidavits filed by the DGP and the Chief Secretary, assuring strict action against illegal sand miners, had remained ‘paper assurances’, and that it expected ‘greater sensitivity’ from top officials on the issue of environmental protection, if not compliance with the court’s repeated directions.
The HC had asked the government to include in the new action plan, the names and details of police officials, deputy collectors and nodal officers who will be responsible in the talukas of Bicholim, Ponda, Tiswadi and Pernem.
At the next hearing on December 12, 2023, the HC had accepted the action plan that was submitted and stated that all necessary steps must be taken to ensure that unauthorised sand mining does not resurface.
The HC had also accepted the statement of the DGP that the newly-appointed Police Inspectors had been briefed to ensure zero tolerance towards illegal sand mining.
The action plan had also included details of rigid inflatable boats and unmanned aerial vehicles to be used for patrolling.
