Residents of Shivsorem and Colomba in Rivona panchayat on Wednesday strongly opposed the renewal of a mining lease in the village. At a public hearing, organized by the Goa Pollution Control Board (GPCB) at Rivona VKSS Society, Rivona, residents feared that the mining activities would destroy the ecology in the village. Criticizing the environment assessment report submitted by the mining company, Gurudas Gaonkar of Shivsorem claimed that though Shivsorem ward has a population of 400 villagers located barely 25 metres from the mining pit, the ward was not shown in the report. "If the mine is given permission to operate, our ward will be wiped out from the map of Goa,' said Mr Gaonkar. He further stated that the primary school in the village is also not mentioned in the report. Rama Velip of Colomba stated that the mine owner without any environment clearance started the mine a year ago and has done extensive damage to the environment. "Mining rejects have been dumped at a distance of 10 mtrs from the bank of the Curca river, a tributary of the Kushawati River,' said Mr Velip. "During the first few days of the monsoon, the mining rejects have even flown into the river,' he added. Mr Velip demanded action against the mining company and termination of the mining lease. Fearing the impact on the villagers, Dr Avdoot Prabhu Dessai stated that due to dust pollution, villagers would succumb to dreaded-dieases like asthma, tuberculoses and silicoses. Subhash Prabhu Dessai said that if the mine were permitted then the entire agricultural land would be destroyed. South Goa Collector G P Naik and GPCB Member Mr Joglekar presided over the meeting. Meanwhile, Gawda Kunbi Velip and Dhanger Federation has filed a complaint with the Goa Pollution Control Board demanding action against the mine owner causing extensive damage to the environment.