Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The deadline for local community members to submit online applications for sand extraction permits in the Mandovi and Zuari rivers has been extended by the Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG). January 10, 2025 is the new due date.
The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for online applications, zone demarcation maps, and other information are available on the Directorate’s official website, https://dmg.goa.gov.in. The DMG has made it clear that obtaining environmental clearance from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) is a prerequisite for issuing permits.
After the River Sand Protectors Network petitioned the government to limit sand extraction permits because of environmental concerns, legal sand mining in Goa has been prohibited since 2018. Many complaints regarding illicit sand extraction activities were filed in conjunction with the six-year ban.
In response, the Mandovi and Zuari rivers’ restricted sand extraction permits were reinstated by the State administration. Twelve specified zones—seven in the Mandovi River and five in the Zuari River—were granted environmental clearance by the government. Only members of the local community using conventional, manual sand extraction techniques are eligible for the permits.
Every permit restricts extraction to the hours of 6 am to 6 pm and has a rigorous annual restriction of 1,000 cubic meters.
In compliance with the eligibility requirements and other terms specified in the Goa Minor Mineral Concession (Amendment) Rules, 2022, the DMG has issued an online application.
The State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) suggested in October of this year that environmental clearances (ECs) be granted for sand mining in the Mandovi and Zuari rivers.
