Team Herald
PANJIM: The State government has informed the High Court of Bombay at Goa that National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Dona Paula has completed study on sand replenishment and erosion with respect to Chapora River.
The NIO is conducting a study for monitoring riverine and riparian biodiversity on a sampling mode, sand replenishment and erosion across all the rivers in the State. Based on the complete study, the Goa government will decide on granting permits to contractors for sand extraction.
To a petition filed by Camurlim Sand Extractors Owners Association and others, alleging government was not renewing their permits, the State submitted to the Court that necessary steps are being taken as per the law.
“The State is in the process of obtaining fresh environmental clearances or renewal as the case may be. The studies undertaken by the NIO are complete as far as Chapora River is concerned and studies in respect to other rivers are being conducted and are expected to be completed shortly. Necessary steps are being taken in the matters of obtaining fresh environment clearances or their renewals as may be permissible under the law,” Advocate General Devidas Pangam told the Division Bench of Justice M S Sonak and Justice M S Jawalkar.
The Court hence disposed of the petition as infructuous but granted liberty to the petitioner for instituting fresh petition if situation thereof arises.
