Residents of Maina, Cavrem, Pirla and adjoining villages of Quepem taluka on Saturday vehemently opposed the public hearing of two proposed mines and managed to get the public hearing of one proposed mine cancelled on technical grounds. The Goa Pollution Control Board (GPCB) had fixed three public hearings at the Chandreshwar temple hall at Cotta-Amona in Quepem taluka, to invite public opinion on the proposed renewal of mining leases at Maina and Pirla villages. The meetings were presided over by Additional Collector-II Y B Tavde and Assistant Env. Engineer (GSPCB) Sanjeev Joglekar. The residents managed to get the hearing of the proposed iron ore mine at Zoleracho Dongor cancelled on grounds that the Titulo de Concessao (TC) mentioned in the public notice was wrong. Incidentally, efforts were made to go ahead with the public hearing, but officials were forced to cancel the public hearing due to stiff opposition from the residents. During the public hearing of the proposed mines at Ubea Fateracho Dongor and Pante Pan, Cavrem Pirla Sarpanch Madhu Velip stated that all mines in the area should be stopped as they were of little benefit to the village. He also demanded that the public hearings regarding proposed projects and activities in Cavrem-Pirla should be held in the village. Claiming that Cavrem-Pirla is the highest producer of sugarcane, milk and other products in the State, Panch Sandeep Gaonkar feared that mining activities would destroy such activities. J Fernandes of Quepem claimed that a government high school and houses were located in close proximity to the proposed mines. "The Cottigao and Netraveli reserve forests are also at a close distance and this has been suppressed from Rapid Environment Impact report. The area is also the habitat for wildlife like deer, bison, leopard and birds like peacocks, etc,' Mr Fernandes added. He also feared that the proposed mines would also destroy the Curca River, which is barely 500 metres from the proposed site. Dr Avdoot Prabhudessai also opposed the mines on grounds that mining had not been beneficial to the locals. "On the contrary, it has destroyed water, agricultural land, forest and air, jeopardizing the lives of the villagers. Mining will destroy the entire economy of the State in the near future. The proposed mines will destroy Kushawati River, as some of the tributaries originate from the mining sites,' said Dr Prabhudessai. Voicing similar objections, Mohan Dessai warned of severe consequences if the mining department went ahead in issuing licences, despite objections from locals. Others who also opposed the mine included Rama Velip, Motes Antao, Kashinath Velip, Dinanath Fal Dessai and Mohan Dessai. While no one openly spoke in favour of the proposed mines at Pante Pan, some however submitted letters of support to the mining activities. About five residents voiced their support to the proposed mines at Ubea Fateracho Dongor, stating that the proposed mines would create employment to the locals. The hall was packed with residents and a police force was stationed outside the venue to maintain law and order.