Team Herald
PANJIM: The State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) has recommended granting of environmental clearances (ECs) for sand mining in Mandovi and Zuari rivers.
When contacted, the SEAC chairman Pascoal Noronha said that the committee has forwarded its recommendations to the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) for appropriate decision. “We have recommended to SEIAA that ECs be granted to individuals for sand mining in two rivers.”
The SEAC has also recommended that 1,000 cubic metres of sand per year, be extracted by individual licencee by manual method only. After the SEIAA approves granting of ECs, the individuals will have to apply for fresh ECs and based on the ECs, the District Collector will be empowered to sublet leases to individuals for sand mining.
In August this year, the Goa government during a hearing filed by the Goa River Sand Protectors Network before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had withdrawn all ECs granted by the SEIAA for extraction of sand in Goa’s rivers and that it would undertake the District Survey Report (DSR) as required under the sustainable sand mining guidelines and only thereafter apply for fresh ECs.
The Goa River Sand Protectors’ Network had challenged four environment clearances, all dated October 12, 2021, issued by the SEIAA for sand mining to the North Goa Collector for four stretches along the River Chapora.
O Heraldo contacted some of the environmentalists and activists to know their reactions following SEAC recommending granting of ECs for sand mining.
Political analyst Trajano D’Mello said, “Lifting of the ban on sand mining is a positive step by the government, especially for the common people who need sand for building their homes. However, it is crucial that this benefit reaches individual homebuilders in an affordable manner, without being monopolised by commercial interests."
"At the same time, the government must ensure that environmental safeguards are in place to protect riverbanks and ecosystems from the harmful effects of unregulated sand mining. Sustainable practices should be strictly enforced to preserve the natural balance and prevent long-term environmental damage,” D’Mello said.
Activist Shailesh Shetye from Marcel said, “Traditional sand mining is not defined by the State. They are using boats to ferry 35 cubic metres of sand per boat per trip. There is no replenishment in the rivers. This is neglected by the District Survey Report (DSR)."
"The DSR has also not mentioned the depth of the rivers which has gone deep below 30 metres. The environment clearances is given blatantly. The carrying capacity of the boats would be only five cubic metres and not 35 cubic metres. There is no plan to control sand mining and we will strongly object to ECs," Shetye said.
Activist Luel Fernandes of Guirdolim said, “The authorities are negating the orders issued by the court. Sand banks are getting eroded due to illegal sand mining. There is complete destruction of environment.”
Activist Viraj Bakre of Khandola said, “There is no replenishment of sand as extraction is going on rampantly. Around 350 cubic metres are being extracted everyday so how will sand get replenished."
"Illegal sand extraction is going on unabated but there is no control by the authorities. There is no sustainable sand mining. The DSR is improper and therefore we will study the recommendations of SEAC," Bakre said.
Claude Alvares may file contempt
petition before High Court
PANJIM: Director of Goa Foundation Claude Alvares on Friday threatened to file a contempt petition before the High Court alleging restarting of illegal sand mining in the State.
“Illegal sand mining has started in Virdi and Maina-Bicholim. We have already filed complaints with appropriate authorities regarding sand mining and if require we will file a contempt petition in the Court. Nobody is enforcing the court directives,” Alvares said.
Alvares said, “Right now only recommendations have been made by SEAC and the authorities are yet to issue the order. However, illegal sand mining has started which is not a good sign because afterwards the government will not be able to distinguish between legal and illegal mining. Now, apparently the District Survey Report is ready and on the basis of that SEAC has given its recommendations. We will examine it."
The environmentalist warned that he will oppose if the granting of ECs for sand mining is not as per the procedure established. He said that ECs are bad because individuals were extracting sand done by suction pipes and the level of water in river is gone very low.
“You cannot do sand mining manually because they have gone deep and are extracting sand by using suction pipes,” he charged.
Alvares further said that the traditional sand miners have been knocked out and now gangs from outside the State are operating sand mining in the State.