Team Goemkarponn
PORVORIM: The Goa Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has detected instances of unauthorised laterite stone extraction in Sattari, including an area falling within the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, the state government informed the Goa Legislative Assembly.
Chief Minister and Mines Minister Pramod Sawant disclosed the details in a written reply to Unstarred Legislative Assembly Question No. 204 tabled by MLA Viresh Borkar.
The government said complaints had been received regarding alleged illegal laterite quarrying at Survey No. 4/1 in Malpona village and Survey No. 23/1 in the Xelpo-Curdo hill area of Sattari.
Acting on the complaints, a DMG Flying Squad inspected the locations on July 13, 2026. During the inspection, the team found mineral extraction taking place at Survey No. 23/1 of Xelpo-Curdo and the adjoining Survey No. 2/1 of Malpona village.
However, no active extraction was found at Survey No. 4/1 of Malpona during the inspection. Based on the findings, the department has issued show cause notices in connection with the alleged violations.
The government further clarified that there are currently no valid mining permits or leases covering the land surveyed at Xelpo-Curdo.
According to the reply, a laterite quarrying lease, bearing Lease No. 06/Laterite/90, had been granted in November 1990 to Mohammad Beig under the Goa Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1985. The lease expired in July 2018.
Beig’s application seeking renewal of the lease was subsequently rejected by the state government through an order dated July 12, 2018.
The rejection was linked to environmental restrictions applicable to the area. The government stated that, under the February 2015 notification issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the entire Xelpo-Curdo village falls within the Eco-Sensitive Zone of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.
Commercial quarrying and mining activities are prohibited within the notified ESZ, making any unauthorised extraction in the area subject to action under the applicable environmental and mining regulations.
