Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Nearly 20 abandoned laterite quarries in Goa are set to be considered for restoration under a proposed initiative backed by a Rs 2 crore allocation from the North Goa District Mineral Foundation Trust (NGDMFT).
The Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) is expected to prepare a rehabilitation plan aimed at making these neglected sites safer and exploring possibilities for their productive use.
The proposal envisages assessing whether selected quarries can support activities such as regulated fishing, tourism and recreation, while taking local environmental conditions into account.
The funding provision follows an assessment by the Foundation’s Project Management Unit, which examined options for rehabilitating abandoned quarry sites. The Biodiversity Board is expected to draw on its own expertise and seek specialised technical support wherever required.
The proposed approach could offer an alternative to simply fencing off abandoned quarries, provided suitable safeguards are put in place. Each site will require an assessment of its ecological condition, water quality, structural safety and suitability for the activities being considered.
Quarry restoration is also subject to environmental requirements. Applicable clearance conditions may require operators to undertake rehabilitation measures, including backfilling and plantation of native species, in consultation with the relevant authorities.
Abandoned quarries, particularly those filled with water, have remained a concern because of potential safety risks and the challenges involved in restoring disturbed landscapes.
