Mining

Mining activities in Colomba forest will be stopped: AG

HERALD
PANJIM, MARCH 10, 2010
Villagers of Colomba in Sanguem taluka suffering from mining operations will probably get some relief soon. The Advocate General Subodh Kantak on Monday while acknowledging that mining activities are being carried out in the area earmarked as forest in Colomba village, told the Court that it will be stopped forthwith.

Petitioners Rama Velip, A Prabhudessai and Goa Foundation in their petition stated that the land on which mining operations carried out by — Hiralal Khodidas and Sociedade Fomento Industries has been identified as private forest by the Sawant/Karapurkar Committee.

The Counsel for the petitioners Adv Norma Alvares told the Court that mining activity by respondents is hampering opportunities of livelihood of the locals and alleged that it is being carried out in violation of the provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. Also, no permission was sought from the Supreme Court. In January 2006, Supreme Court had ruled that no units would be allowed to operate without environmental clearance.

On the other hand, Counsel for respondent companies argued that they have been conducting operations since 1959. Area in question is a mining belt and they have all valid permissions.

Adv Alvares told the Court that initial environmental clearance granted was for manual operation for extracting manganese. But fresh application for mechanical mining activity in March 2007, did not disclose that subject area was zoned as private forest.

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