PANJIM: In a resounding victory, the Goa River Sand Protectors won their case before the NGT on Monday. Government of Goa agreed to withdraw all ECs granted unconditionally, to go for new DSR report, and grant fresh ECs only after DSR report is available.
Viraj Bakre, Member Goa River Sand Protectors Network said, “It was basically a challenge to the ECs granted. They were not granted as per the procedures laid down by law. It was withdrawn because the district survey report was not there. In NIO’s report, it is very clearly mentioned that there is not replenishment. Permissions can be given provided there is replenishment.”
It may be recalled that one labourer was shot dead at Bansai-Curchorem during illegal sand mining. Thereafter CM Pramod Sawant had assured to expedite the process of resuming legal sand extraction .He called on officials to simplify and expedite the process of granting Environment Clearance (EC) for sand mining.
DMG had not renewed or granted sand mining permits for the last three seasons – 2018, 2019 and 2020 and 2021. NIO conducted a study on Sand Mining Impact and River Biodiversity Index at of Chapora, Mandovi, Zuari, Tiracol, rivers.
Based on the report, the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) in September 2021 granted green signal for grant of EC at seven sites. A cap of 15 cubic metres per permit per day for each location had been imposed.
The petitioner Goa river sand protectors’ network, challenged the EC granted by the SEIAA allowing sand mining in four river stretches in the state
Viraj Bakre, Member Goa River Sand Protectors Network said, “It was basically a challenge to the ECs granted. They were not granted as per the procedures laid down by law. It was withdrawn because the district survey report was not there. In NIO’s report, it is very clearly mentioned that there is not replenishment. Permissions can be given provided there is replenishment.”
It may be recalled that one labourer was shot dead at Bansai-Curchorem during illegal sand mining. Thereafter CM Pramod Sawant had assured to expedite the process of resuming legal sand extraction .He called on officials to simplify and expedite the process of granting Environment Clearance (EC) for sand mining.
DMG had not renewed or granted sand mining permits for the last three seasons – 2018, 2019 and 2020 and 2021. NIO conducted a study on Sand Mining Impact and River Biodiversity Index at of Chapora, Mandovi, Zuari, Tiracol, rivers.
Based on the report, the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) in September 2021 granted green signal for grant of EC at seven sites. A cap of 15 cubic metres per permit per day for each location had been imposed.
The petitioner Goa river sand protectors’ network, challenged the EC granted by the SEIAA allowing sand mining in four river stretches in the state
