Residents from Maina, Pirla, Cavrem, Colomba and adjoining areas are gearing to oppose Goa Pollution Control Board's public hearing for renewal of mining leases. According to sources, Goa Pollution Control board has fixed three pubic hearings of three mines at Chandreshwar Temple, Cotto, Amona-Quepem on June 21. Villagers alleged that the mine owner who had applied for renewal of mining lease has already started mining operations, causing extensive damage to the environment. "The mine owner was booked and fined by the forest department for illegal cutting of trees,' said a local. Residents claimed that the proposed area for mining has been covered with thick forest and is a home for wild animals like bisons, leopards, porcupines and spotted deers, besides peacocks and reptiles. "If mining activities are allowed in the proposed area, it would destroy the forest,' informed a local. "Besides, there are houses in the proposed leased area, occupied by about 200 people mostly from the Dhangar community,' he added. The two temples, Paik Devasthan and Sateri Devasthan also fall within the leased portion of one of the mine.