Team Herald
PANJIM: The Directorate on Mines and Geology (DMG) said that 70 per cent traditional sand miners and 30 per cent fresh applicants will be permitted to carry out sand mining only through manual process.
Director of Mines and Geology Suresh Shanbhogue said that the department has received Environment Clearance (EC) for sand mining in Chapora River after the National Institute of Oceanography submitted its report.
Shanbhogue said extraction of sand will be permitted only through manual process and that the sand extractors will not be allowed to use suction pumps and other machinery. The Environment Clearance is only for manual extraction, he said adding that the application process will be completely online and no offline applications will be entertained.
Shanbhogue also informed that the CSIR-NIO has submitted reports related to Mandovi and Zuari Rivers. Both the reports are made available on the department website https://dmg.goa.gov.in for public consultation.
Citizens can submit their suggestions and comments to the DMG within a period of 30 days either in person at the DMG office or via email to dir-mine.goa@nic.in. Last date to submit the same is December 16, 2022.
Following the public consultation, the report will be sent to the State Environment Impact Assessment Committee, who in turn will apply for EC on behalf of the State. Once the Environment Clearances are received, sand extraction will be permitted in Mandovi and Zuari Rivers, he said.
For other rivers in Goa also the same process will be followed, he said. The State Cabinet on Wednesday had approved the process to streamline the allotment of licences for traditional sand mining and laterite quarries.
