the goan I network
PANAJI
Goa government’s proposal to use solid waste to cover up open quarries -- the same kind that claimed the lives of four students in Tuem in Pernem last month -- has earned the ridicule of the National Green Tribunal which has also proceeded to impose a penalty of Rs 5 lakh on the State government.
The Goa Paryavaran Sangarsh Samiti had filed a petition before the NGT last year alleging that the state authorities and the mines department were not acting against open quarries which posed a threat to human and wildlife, especially those in Pernem taluka.
True enough, their fears were realised last month when four students of Don Bosco High School in Tuem lost their lives when they drowned in a quarry where they had gone for a swim during a school trek.
“The case raises a serious question of illegal mining and failure on the part of the mining agency and the State in closing the mined out areas scientifically,” the NGT noted.
When the matter came up for hearing earlier this week, the State government in its report before the NGT proposed to use garbage to fill out the quarry pits.
“Apart from giving the details of peripheral actions taken, a preposterous suggestion has been made for filling up the mined out pits with solid waste in consultation with a Norwegian company,” the NGT observed.
“We therefore, have no hesitation in rejecting the report as unacceptable. If the proposal is to be accepted, it would amount to giving license for commission of a
criminal offence apart from it being in violation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016,” the NGT noted.
“The report clearly demonstrates insensitivity on the part of the State of Goa in dealing with such a serious question where lives have reportedly been lost,” the NGT further observed.
Stung by the observations, the Goa government hastily conceded that the proposal “is not final as it is a mere proposal and prays that she be granted time to seek proper instructions to file a detailed report.”
“While we are not averse to granting the prayer sought for, we do not find it justifiable in condoning the absolute laxity and indifference on the part of the State of Goa in dealing with the matter,” the NGT observed.
“We accordingly allow time as prayed for subject to payment for Rs 5 lakh as cost to be deposited with the CPCB within a period of 15 days from hence. Let the report be filed within a period of one month from hence failing which further cost of Rs 5 lakh shall be imposed,” the NGT said.
The Samiti had argued that after the extraction, the excavated area is left without closure which is necessary for restoration of the environment.
