PANJIM: Taking serious cognisance of two reports published by O Heraldo regarding rampant illegal sand mining and tree felling in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, the High Court of Bombay at Goa on Monday directed the government officials to immediately inspect the site/s and ascertain the facts.
The division bench of the High Court was hearing a contempt petition filed by the Goa Rivers Sand Protectors’ Network.
The bench comprising Justice Mahesh S Sonak and Justice Bharat P Deshpande requested Advocate General Devidas Pangam to see that the concerned officials of the Forest Department and the concerned Nodal Officer inspect the site or the sites referred to in the newspaper reports and ascertain whether the reports are true.
“If the reports are true, then, needless to add that the officials must take immediate action considering that the allegation is about such illegal activity within the Wildlife Sanctuary,” the court said.
Arguing on behalf of the petitioner, Adv Norma Alvares stated that though illegal sand mining has now stopped in the areas indicated in the earlier affidavit, she referred to two news reports published by O Heraldo dated May 17, 2023 ( https://heraldgoa.in/News-Today/Exclusive-Illegal-Sand-Mining-in-the-Heart-of-Mhadei-Wildlife-Sanctuary/205136 ) and June 2, 2023 (https://heraldgoa.in/Goa/Mhadei-deep-dive-Sand-mining-tree-felling-forest-burning-Herald-finds-it-all-in-an-indepth-ground-report/205693) about illegal sand mining in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.
Adv Alvares said that after the last problem area of illegal sand mining at Maina-Navelim in Bicholim taluka was stopped, she was shocked and surprised to read two reports in O Heraldo that illegal sand mining and tree felling was going on in Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.
“These were not just reports but in-depth and investigative reports about illegal extraction of sand in the pristine wildlife sanctuary,” Adv Alvares said adding that the Court has asked the Advocate General to see that the concerned officials of the Forest Department and the concerned Nodal Officer inspect the site or the sites referred to in the newspaper reports and ascertain whether the reports are true.
The matter has now been posted for the next hearing on July 11.
When contacted, Adv Alvares said that while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) writ petition regarding illegal sand mining, the High Court in December 2018 had issued a series of stringent directions to the Directorate of Mines and Geology, Directorate of Transport, Captain of Ports and the Goa Police asking them to take steps to stop illegal sand mining. The Court had also appointed concerned Deputy Collectors as Nodal Officers for both districts.
But since the government authorities failed to take steps to stop illegal extraction of sand despite several complaints and court directions, the Goa Rivers Sand Protectors’ Network filed a contempt petition in January 2021 and produced on record several photographs suggesting how sand was illegally extracted from rivers across the State. The Court again took serious note of it as it was causing severe ecological consequences and in March 2021, the Director General of Police (DGP) issued standing order asking the police stations to monitor the areas in their respective jurisdiction.
