Govt assures a new CZMP with people’s views
Plan to be drafted by Environment Department in consultation with CZMA, GSPCB, scientists PORVORIM: In a major victory to the people, the State government on Tuesday announced it woud draft a fresh
Herald (Panjim)
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Recover Rs 35,000 cr mining loot: Mauvin
PANJIM: Urging State government to initiate action against those involved in the mining scam, Congress MLA Mauvin Godinho on Tuesday called for steps to recover the Rs 35,000 crore revenue lost by the State due to massive illegal mining over decades. The Dabolim MLA also raised concerns whether mining operations would resume even during the forthcoming mining season. “The way things are currently going I don’t feel mining will start in the coming two seasons,” he added.
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Govt dole for mining affected
PANJIM: Governor of Goa B V Wanchoo announced that government would pay monthly cash compensation ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000 to mining dependent persons, and spend approximately Rs 15 crore monthly for providing interim relief to them through a rehabilitation scheme. Wanchoo was addressing the first session of Goa Legislative Assembly of 2013, which commenced on Monday. This is a step taken by his government towards ameliorating the sufferings of mining dependent persons, who are currently rendered jobless due to suspension of mining activities, Wanchoo said, during his half hour speech.
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Penha da Franca locals oppose garbage plant
GSPCB claims of not receiving any proposal PORVORIM: Barely two days after Environment Minister Alina Saldanha laid the foundation stone for the proposed garbage treatment plant at Penha da Franca, the project has already run into rough weather with some residents of Krantinagar opposing the project in an open space near a residential colony. In a letter to the Penha da Franca Panchayat, the residents stated that the proposed garbage treatment plant may create health problems and they have requested the panchayat not to set up the plant in a residential colony.
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Centre gets tough on mine renewals
Now, environmental clearances have to be sought two years in advance PANJIM: The Centre’s directive that all mining leases, due for renewal, have to apply for environmental clearance two years in advance of the expiry of the lease, could further complicate matters for the mining industry, as a majority of the mines in the State are up for renewal. The State government has started the process of renewal of leases after the deemed renewal regime was practiced for so long.
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More than 96% of Goa falls under ‘inviolate forest areas’: activist
PANJIM: More than 96% of the state’s geographical area will fall under the category of ‘inviolate forest areas’ for the purpose of protection, anti-mining activist Ramesh Gauns has said. The Committee to Formulate Objective Parameters for Identification of Inviolate Forest Areas, which was formed to after a Group of Ministers (GoM) on environmental and developmental issues relating to coal mining and other development projects, suggested that identified pristine forest areas where any mining activity would lead to irreversible damage to the forests should be barred from any kind of non-forest activity and those which can never be regenerated to the desired quality should be protected, had in its report submitted in July last year but made public only now has drawn up a list of areas and guidelines to term forests as inviolate for mining.
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CCP under pressure over Bainguinim plant
PANJIM: Pressure is mounting on the ruling council of the Corporation of the City of Panjim to expedite work on the Bainguinim garbage disposal plant with corporators alleging that garbage is being dumped at Campal, a charge which was disputed by the commissioner. The work order to build a compound wall was issued in 2010 and land admeasuring 1,71,312 sq mts was handed over to the CCP in November 2008. However, hardly any work is completed and the city still reels under the ticking time bomb ~garbage.
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Alina: Special Status can save natural heritage
PANJIM: Government’s decision to ask the Centre to confer Special Status on Goa, will go a long way in preserving the state’s natural heritage, Minister for Environment and Forests Alina Saldanha said, while speaking at a seminar on ‘Biodiversity in Goa to sustain Goa’s needs and holistic ecosystem development’, organised by Clube Nacional Panjim, Thursday. Alina said she would do her best to provide sustainable livelihood to the people. “Our government is committed to protect the interest of the state. But the task of protecting our biodiversity cannot be left to the government alone, people have a role to play.
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Government initiates garbage collection drive along highways
PANJIM: Though tons of newspaper reams have been dedicated to the issue, agitated gram sabha discussions have rocked villages and various initiatives have been thrashed by the government, the satisfactory
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10 held for illegal sand mining at St Estevam
PANJIM: The directorate of mines and Coastal police raided Akada, St Estevam and seized one canoe and arrested 10 persons for illegal sand mining. The 10 – labourers –will be produced before the SDM Wednesday, Old Goa PI, Manoj Mardokar told media Tuesday. New Roman'; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">It may be recalled that last month coastal police seized five canoes and a FIR was filed against 50 labourers at Cumbharjua after raids were conducted by the mines department officials and police.
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It’s ‘Prime’ time for iron ore export
PANJIM: State government’s reluctance to act on Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) directions to keep in abeyance all NOCs granted for export of Maharashtra origin iron ore, has proved fruitful to the trading company ~ Prime Minerals ~ which so far has exported 60,000 metric tonnes of ore from Goa. Prime Minerals, earlier this month, was granted NOC by the Directorate of Mines and Geology for export of 72,000 metric tones of ore, it claimed had been brought to Goa from Maharashtra. The export of the same had begun from Panjim port, a couple of days back.