Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has informed that it is still awaiting Environment Clearance (EC) from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) for permitting sand mining activities in the Chapora riverbed and its tributaries.
“We are still awaiting EC from SEIAA for permitting sand mining activities in the Chapora riverbed and its tributaries,” the official said
The Mandovi, Tiracal and Chapora rivers were particularly seen bearing adverse impact of unsustainable excavation. Amid worsening scenario the riverbank communities and civil societies have been making remarkable efforts to protect the rivers in the state.
Goa has been dependent on other States for export of sand. The non-grant of permits, also gave rise to large scale rampant illegal sand extraction.
The Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) had not renewed or granted sand mining permits for last three seasons- 2018, 2019 and 2020, after an NGO approached the High Court of Bombay at Goa seeking restrictions on the number of sand mining permits. DMG had issued over 300 sand mining permits for the 2017 season with a cap of 1,400 cubic metres per permit.