Good? Bad? Ugly?

Mine in Goa forest defies law; SC orders probe

Bahar Dutt / CNN-IBN

Collem Mines (South Goa): A multicrore mining industry is operating out of Goa's forest land, inspite of several notices from the Government to stop all operations.

A showcause notice (in CNN-IBN's possession) from the Forest Department Goa to the Prafulla Hede Mines in South Goa dated March 2008 reads: "You are informed to showcause as to why action should not be taken to close all mining activities for violating the provisions of the Forest Conservation Act".

Three months later, on May 8, 2008 CNN-IBN's Special Investigation Team (SIT) found that rows and rows of trees, 1000 square meters of prime forest has been burnt to ashes and that trucks are operating inside the Hede Mines despite the showcause notice.

Goa Foundation Director, Claude Alvares says, "You can see they are operating on forest land."

It's obvious that the owners of the mine are nervous about the SIT filming the mines. A huge mining truck deliberately blocked the road to prevent the CNN-IBN crew from going further.

When the SIT reached the gate of the mines, alongwith Claude Alvares, arguments and raised voices dominated the scene.

Claude Alvares: "You guys are in serious trouble. I am telling you."

CNN-IBN SIT Reporter: "Please vacate the road. You have no business blocking our way."

The mine workers argued right back, asking the crew why they were filming. One worker even said, "Kar lo jo karn hai." ("Do whatever you can.")
The workers then used a truck and blocked the public road, trying to stop the crew from escaping the scene. Around 15 mine workers surrounded the CNN-IBN team, and attempted the Manager of Hede Mines, Mr Vaidya, lunged for and tried to snatch the camera from the crew.

The CNN-IBN team managed to escape with the tapes. Based on the visual evidence and an urgent writ petition by the Goa Foundation, the Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court has on Thursday issued an order asking the state government to conduct an enquiry.

If the Hede Mines are found to be violating the Forest Conservation Act, the mines will be immediately shut down.

(With inputs from Vimal Dutta and Tridip Mandal)

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