TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) met the Goa Foundation convenor on Saturday in a bid to arrive at certain parameters before submitting a preliminary proposal to the government.
Though the government claims that it is to submit its preliminary report on the micro-level environment impact of mining by February 15, sources say the institute will do a preliminary study as to how to go about the study and then submit a proposal to the government before it starts work on the final report. The state government has hired the institute to recommend the optimal level of fresh iron ore extraction that can be undertaken in the state.
The two-member team comprising principal scientist A D Bhanarkar and K V George met officials from Mines Department, Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and Water Resources Department (WRD). The team is also expected to interact with Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA), mine owners and other mining stakeholders.
Director Mines Prasanna Acharya had said that NEERI has been asked to submit its preliminary report by February 15, so that it could be submitted to Supreme Court. “Our only demand is that we want mining on rationales of sustainable development,” he said.
