Warning that mining is directly affecting the environment in Goa, governor S S Sidhu on Wednesday urged the state government to have a policy framework in place at the earliest. Sidhu also urged that Goa should work towards becoming the first "plastic-free" state in India, an official press release said.
Presiding over the 19th Goa state environment protection council meeting at Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula, Siddhu called for all-out efforts to protect the state's environment.
Siddhu said that the state government should go ahead with forming its own policy to regulate mining which may be aligned with the central government policy on mining when it is finalized.
The Goa state environment protection council deliberated at length on issues like enforcement of prohibition on smoking in public places, status of River Princess, waste management in urban and rural areas, control on use of plastics, regional plan 2021, coastal protection measures, Mhadei wildlife sanctuary and the proposal to declare it as a tiger reserve and the Mhadei water diversion dispute.
Chief minister Digambar Kamat said that persistent efforts by his government moved the centre to constitute a tribunal to adjudicate on Mhadei river diversion issue. Kamat assured that the remaining portion of the stranded ship "River Princess", will be removed after the monsoons.
Stating that top priority is being given for the protection of Goa's coast, Kamat said maximum funds from the Golden Jubilee package were being used to combat beach erosion. Kamat also said his government's efforts had prompted the union government to impose a moratorium on issuing fresh mining leases in Goa. He said that 'air and water consent' is not being given to non-operational mines.
Kamat said efforts were on to expedite the GAIL pipeline in Goa lest the project is lost to the state due to delays. He assured that no forest land would be diverted until the forest policy was finalized. Kamat also assured to take all stakeholders into confidence while deciding on the Centre's suggestion to declare the Mhadei wild life sanctuary as a tiger reserve.
Courtesy: Times of India, July 28, 2011
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