PANAJI
Goa is all set to introduce a special satellite surveillance system from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to map stone quarries in a bid to curb illegal mining activities.
In the absence of the required manpower and technology, the Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) is currently in talks with ISRO officials for scientific and technological support to identify illegal stone quarrying activities in the State.
DMG Director Narayan Gad said that currently, deputy collectors/mamlatdars are authorised to identify and take action against illegal stone quarrying activities within their jurisdiction.
“With our office being located in Panaji, it is not possible for us to monitor from here. Hence, a need was felt to introduce a technical solution,” he said.
After failing to get a response from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Gad said that the department approached ISRO, who have expressed willingness to provide access to their satellite software to monitor the activities.
“The talks are in the preliminary stage. We will be sending our team to ISRO to study the methodology,” he said.
Gad said that the decision has been taken following approval from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the Finance Department.
As per the record, there are close to 80 quarry leases granted by the Directorate, which include basalt, laterite, dolomite, and bentonite.
Following several incidents of drowning in stone quarries, the government had constituted flying squads in different talukas, who, over the last year, have raided many illegal quarries where machinery has been seized and FIRs have been filed.
The government had instructed all mamlatdars to make an inventory of all illegal abandoned quarries for necessary action.
