PONDA: The Directorate of Mines and Geology dumped back 420 cubic metres of sand seized back into the river using a JCB machine as per the High Court directions, on Saturday.
Following notices from the High Court of Bombay at Goa to the government with respect to contempt petition regarding resurgence of illegal sand mining in the State, the Directorate of Mines and Geology along with Captain of Ports and Ponda Police jointly conducted raids at various places in Bethki and seized 250 cubic metres at one place and 170 cubic metres at another which was illegally extracted from the river, along with seven canoes and a loaded truck.
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Deputy Director of Mines, Abeer Hede said, “The sand seized was put back into the river as per the High Court directions”.
It may be recalled that illegal sand extraction has been banned in State by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), while the Goa River Sand Protection Network had filed a contempt petition in Court stating contempt petition failing to curb illegal extraction.
The State had asked the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Dona Paula to conduct detailed study so that the sand extraction zones can be permitted. It is learnt that the study report is yet to come.
Meanwhile, the traditional sand extractors are worried about their livelihood. The government has not given them permissions due to pending issues in various courts. Since there is no legal extraction, sand has become costly since the past few years in the State.
