The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) on Thursday said only 14 mines have been asked to suspend their operations under the environmental laws as against the figure of 35 reported by media.
GSPCB chairman Simon D’souza said as per the directives of the Panaji bench of the Bombay High Court, the notices were issued to 19 mining sites, of which only 14 are liable for suspension of operations as they do not have necessary clearances.
Two out of remaining five mining sites have been granted consent under Water and Air Pollution Control Act after they produced the required documents, he said.
These mines were owned by Chowgules and Sesa Resources, a part of Vedanta group.
Mr. D’Souza said the fate of rest of the three mines from Sirigao village would be decided only after monsoon.
“A separate petition regarding operation of these three mines is pending with the high court following complaints by locals from Sirigao village over hazardous effect of mining on agriculture,” he said, adding suspension notices are not served on these mines.
Nagpur-based National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) has been monitoring these mines for bio remediation of the fields, recharging of water trenches and covering of dumps.
These mining sites are owned by groups like Sesa Resources, Chowgule and NB Group who have already filed affidavits in the court seeking six months time to comply.
Mr. D’souza said the board, during its meeting held on July 8, decided to issue notices to 14 mining sites.
“These mining sites which are also called as mining leases, have been given consent with the condition that they should submit all the NOCs and clearances. In absence of these clearances they have been asked to suspend operations,” the GSPCB chairman said.
The officials of GSPCB stated some mining sites do not have Forest clearance and some Wildlife clearance.
“The consent under Water and Air Pollution Control Act cannot be granted in absence of these NOCs,” a senior official said.
As per the Goa Government’s submission before the court, there are 91 mining leases operating in the State.
GSPCB has now decided to examine the environment clearances of all the mines and issue them notices if they are functioning without the consent.
Published - August 04, 2011 04:35 pm IST
