Team Herald
PANJIM: In a decision that will tighten the noose around people involved in illegal sand extraction, the State government has decided to debar the violator and his family from being granted sand extraction license for nearly five years, while initiating criminal prosecution for repeated offences.
In a notification issued by the Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG), canoes involved in sand extraction are directed to fit Global Positioning System (GPS) by April 30, failing which they will not be allowed to undertake the activity. The department has banned extraction between 6 pm and 6 am during the season.
“All illegal sand extractors including their family members shall be debarred from grant of sand extraction licence for five years and in case of repeated offences, criminal prosecution shall be initiated against such persons,” DMG Director Prasanna Acharya said in the notification.
Acharya said the department has started granting sand extraction permits in zones identified for such extraction activities after obtaining environmental clearance (ECs). “The sand extraction activities within the State shall be carried out only under an extraction permit granted by the department,” he said.
There are 597 applications in North Goa and 18 in South Goa pending before the Collector. The Goa State Expert Appraisal Committee (GSEAC) granted environment clearance to the district collector permitting manual sand extraction in 24 clusters – riverine and estuarine. The EC has been granted for five years.
“In order to protect the eco-sensitive zones, so also the river banks, islands, bridges etc, the installation of GPS system on canoes is mandated,” Acharya said.
The Director said that despite efforts for regulation of sand extraction activities, some illegal sand extraction activities are carried out and the department, along with other concerned departments, is conducting raids on such illegal activities. “Duty is also cast on permit holder of sand extraction to report such illegal activities to the department,” he said.
As per the fresh directives, DMG has said that all canoes and other material used for sand extraction by any extractor other than permit holder shall be confiscated by the department from April 1. The department also reserves the right to destroy such canoes.
