PANJIM: While Digambar Kamat-led government chose to look the other way as illegal mining thrived in Goa during last four years of its tenure - a council constituted by it to draw a road map for development of Goa for next twenty-five years has suggested that the State should have responsible mining. The preliminary report 2035: Vision & Strategy which has been prepared by Goa Golden Jubilee Development Council (GGJDC), has suggested that Goa should embrace responsible mining. The council headed by Dr Raghunath Mashelkar says in order to achieve sustainable and balanced development of Goa, one of the factors would be to have responsible mining. “Limit mining to a level that is consistent with social and environmental carrying capacity,” says the preliminary report. It has further suggested the government should ensure efficient mineral extraction with the least footprint with no community stress, and greater participation of the local community in decisions and benefits. It wants to engage youth in caring for the environment by creating participatory monitoring. “Create an environmental ombudsman, involve gram sabhas in connection with issues like environmental clearances for mining activities. “ It must be stated here in the past the government agencies with powers to protect environmental damage took lenient view of the mining damages to environment even where there were reported cases of blatant violations. The council wants the government to regulate mining in ecological sensitive zones in the Western Ghat talukas. It has also recommended to rehabilitating of mineral deposits that come close to economic depletion with the introduction of new business opportunities such as eco-tourism, agri/fruit plantation and water harvesting.