THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
The Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (GSEIAA), constituted by the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF), has directed to stop work of minor mineral activity at a Dharbandora property following complaints of illegality.
Government details reveal that the authority had issued an Environmental Clearance to Barkelo Gaonkar to undertake mining of minor mineral (Laterite Stone) activity in property bearing Survey No 142/2, Dharbandora in April 2020.
Four years later in 2024, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee and two others Sadanand Surya Velip and Gopal Bomayo Gaonkar lodged a complaint with the authority alleging illegal mining activities.
During the hearing, GSEIAA found that Barkelo did not submit any compliance reports since the grant of Environmental Clearance (EC) dated April 27, 2020.
This Authority in its 138th meeting held on November 11, 2024, called Barkelo for a hearing along with the compliance report of the Environmental Clearance granted to them. However, there was no clarity on the compliance report.
The GSEIAA thereafter ordered the concerned to stop the work. “In exercise of the powers conferred under section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, hereby directs you to stop the work with immediate effect in property bearing Survey No 142/2, Dharbandora South Goa. Further, you are directed to ensure that no mining activity of whatsoever kind and nature is carried out at said site. Failure to comply with the directions shall attract action under Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 which includes imprisonment/fine,” reads the order by Director (Environment) Sachin Desai.
