PANAJI
Stating that the government is serious in ensuring that legal sand mining begins in the State, Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral informed that for it to happen, there has to be a change in the Central CRZ notification.
“As per CRZ Notification, sand mining can be allowed only in dry riverbeds. However, we do not have any dry rivers in Goa,” Cabral informed while stating that it has been pointed out to the Centre that in Goa, there are no dry rivers.
“To ensure legal sand mining, my Environment Department has submitted the SEIC report to the Mining Department. NIO has been appointed to do a scientific study on ways of sand mining. They have done research of the rivers of which study of two rivers is submitted while those of three rivers is underway as two seasons are required for the study,” Cabral informed.
“We are finding out a legal solution to the sand mining issue which was never done before. We want legal sand mining to start and for that, the Central notification has to be changed. Even though it is a minor mineral, CRZ does not allow to do sand mining in rivers which have water,” Cabral added.
On the charges levelled against him that he has hand in illegal sand mining in Curchorem, Cabral challenged Congress to come out with proof before making allegations.
“Let them prove that it is running under my blessings. If illegal sand mining had my blessings, then why would the persons involved be arrested?” he posed.
“All these years, illegal sand mining was taking place in Goa even during the Congress rule. Legally, sand mining is allowed in a dry river bed according to CRZ notification. The Congress should first study the issue and then comment,” he pointed out.
