PANAJI
The Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (Goa-SEIAA) of the Union Ministry, has decided not to grant permissions to any new projects across 108 villages, proposed as Eco-Sensitive Areas (ESA) as per the draft notification.
However, pending finalization of the ESA, the Authority, has extended the validity of environmental clearances (ECs) granted for mining of minor minerals within these areas.
During its meeting held on September 17, the Authority also said that upon finalization of the ESA and if the proposed mining activities, falls within the purview of ESA, all operations must be stopped immediately and the mining closure plan must be implemented.
The Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), in its draft notification, issued in August, last year, had proposed 108 villages from Goa as ESA. The Goa government in its submission before the Union Ministry had proposed dropping 21 villages from the ESA list and that 87 villages be categorised as ESA since they meet the criteria set out by the Ministry.
“Upon discussing the matter broadly and considering that the draft ESA notification is yet to be finalized, the authority has decided to extend the existing environmental clearance with respect to the life of the mine,” SEIAA said.
“Further, it was also decided that no new projects shall be allowed in the ESA until draft ESA notification is finalized,” it added.
The Authority has received several applications from various mine owners of minerals for extension of validity of existing EC, wherein, initially it was decided to extend the EC with respect to the life of the mine, provided, the existing EC is valid as on April 12, 2022, conditions of ECs were complied, etc.
As per the State government’s proposal, it has recommended dropping 21 villages including 12 from Sattari, five from Dharbandora, three from Sanguem and one from Canacona taluka.
The MoEF&CC appointed Expert Committee had visited the State from November 26-28, last year, for ground verification and consultation with the State government.
The State government has raised certain issues like, dependence of the local community on the minor minerals and declaration of ESA may impose ban on extraction of minor minerals, which will affect their livelihood and also make the State dependent on others to meet the requirement of minor minerals.
