PANAJI
The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has decided to take up sand mining impact and river biodiversity index study of four more rivers -- Mapusa, Valvanti, Khandepar and Sinquerim.
NIO has already completed the study of Mandovi, Zuari, Chapora and Terekhol rivers.
NIO was asked to undertake study covering aspects like Hydrodynamic modelling of flow dynamics; numerical modelling of replenishment and recharge related aspects/issues of clusters -- including dynamics of accretion and erosion; hydrological study of the area under consideration; the diversity and abundance of phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthos in the study area; fish diversity; to evaluate the impact of sand extraction on the estuarine ecology and biodiversity and to calculate the biodiversity index of the estuary.
NIO Director Prof Sunil Kumar Singh said that they have already completed the geological, geophysical and biological study of rivers of Mandovi, Zuari, Chapora and Terekhol and the reports are submitted to the State government for further decision on sand mining.
“Post monsoon, we will be taking up similar studies of four more rivers to understand the suitable condition for sand replenishment and whether these rivers are stable enough for undertaking sand mining,” Singh said.
NIO has identified 13 regions -- eight along River Mandovi and five along the River Zuari estuary, covering a total area of 67.45 hectares, as feasible sand mining sites. In River Chapora, it has identified Zone 1 (Morjim), Zone 2 (Pirna), Zone 5 (Ozorim) and Zone 6 (Agarwada) for sand mining.
As recommended by NIO, the Directorate of Mines and Geology has clearly said that sand extraction only by traditional (manual) method would be permitted along these zones. Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (Goa-SEIAA) had granted environmental clearance for sand mining in River Chapora; however the same has been challenged before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Pending a decision from NGT, the State government has decided not to grant any permits for sand extraction in Goa.
DMG had not renewed or granted sand mining permits for the last five seasons “ 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022“ after an NGO had approached the High Court of Bombay at Goa seeking restrictions on the number of sand mining permits.
