Illegal mining will trigger crisis in Goa: NGO
March 21st, 2011 - 2:54 pm ICT by IANSPanaji, March 21 (IANS) Goa might have to face a “Japan-sized” calamity if rampant illegal mining in the state is not curbed, a spokesperson for the NGO Bharat Swabhiman Trust (BST) said Monday.
The organisation, led by yoga guru Swami Ramdev, had zeroed in on illegal mining as one of the most critical issues concerning Goa, president of the group Bharat Ghullanawar told a press conference here.
“Considering the current pace of mining, which is extensively emptying our water bodies, converting paddy fields into mining pits and digging bottomless pits in the hills in the hinterland, things do not look very good for Goa,” said Ghullanawar, whose BST has tied up with several activists and green organisations protesting against illegal and rampant mining.
“Across the whole of India there is permission for only 200 mining leases but one lakh illegal mining leases are operational in the country,” Ghullanawar said.
According to data submitted in the monsoon session of the Goa assembly, ore worth Rs.4,000 crore was illegally mined and exported out of Goa to countries like China, Japan and Romania.
Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar estimates that nearly 18 percent of Goa’s total 40 million-tonne mining output comprises illegally-mined ore.
He has also accused Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and several of his cabinet ministers of being hand-in-glove with the illegal mining mafia.
- Vedanta Resources mines operated illegally in Goa: minister - Mar 17, 2011
- Officials involved in illegal mining will be hanged: Kamat - Apr 29, 2011
- Goa mine owners stashed black money in Swiss banks: CPI - Apr 29, 2011
- Fate of 40 Goa mines to be decided Friday - Mar 03, 2011
- Award for Goa company accused of illegal mining - Mar 18, 2011
- 35 Goa mining leases booked - Sep 15, 2010
- Criminal complaint against NCP leader for illegal mining - Feb 14, 2011
- Goa PAC to probe illegal mining in forests - Aug 10, 2011
- Goa shuts illegal mine after tribal protest (Lead) - Mar 02, 2011
- Iron ore export eating away resources: Justice Shah - Sep 17, 2011
- Ministry orders study on Goa's controversial mining - Aug 23, 2011
- Goa government closes illegal mine after tribal protest - Mar 02, 2011
- Ramdev holds Kamat responsible for Goa's mining scam - Dec 10, 2011
- Goa to have wireless trackers on ore-laden trucks - Sep 19, 2011
- Church accuses Goa government of shielding illegal mining - Oct 02, 2010
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