PANAJI
The environmental public hearing for the Onda Mineral Block (X), located in Ona village of Sattari and owned by Agravanshi Pvt Limited, will be held on September 29.
The Onda mineral block, covering an area of 61.7325 ha, seeks to obtain prior environmental clearance for the production of 0.5 million tonnes of iron ore per annum. The total mineral reserve of the area is around 5.63 million tonnes. The mineral block will be valid for 50 years from the date of execution of the mining lease deed.
According to the EIA study undertaken by the project proponent, there are 70 villages/towns — 59 villages and 11 census towns (CT) — in the buffer zone of 10 km. Of these, 34 villages and 2 towns are located in Sattari taluka, 11 villages and 4 towns in Bicholim taluka, and 10 villages and 5 towns in Ponda taluka in North Goa. There are 4 villages in Dodamarg taluka in Sindhudurg District in Maharashtra.
Soliye Village and Ajoba Nagar in Honda Village are located adjacent to the mineral block area.
“This proposed project has a few houses within the mineral block area and adjacent to the mineral block area. The habitations within the mineral block area are coming within the safety barriers of the road and seasonal nallah. For habitations adjacent to the mineral block boundary, a safety barrier of 50 m will be maintained from the proposed mine workings. No rehabilitation and resettlement plan is proposed,” the PP said.
The PP claimed that due to the proposed mining activity, no significant adverse changes are visualised in the traditional way of life of the people residing in the villages in the buffer zone.
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) will conduct the public hearing to address the concerns of affected individuals. The hearing will take place at Morlem VP hall.
