GOVERNMENT INITIATES ENQUIRY INTO THE ILLEGAL MINING AT NETRAVALI

PANJIM:  Goa government has initiated an inquiry into the alleged mining operation near Netravali wildlife sanctuary in South Goa which has been on, despite permit rejection from the Environment and Forest Ministry.  State Wildlife Warden Shashi Kumar said the forest department has demanded a probe into whether mining activity by M/s A X Poi Palondicar, adjacent to the wildlife sanctuary, still continues.

"I am yet to get report from the section," he said adding either forest or the concerned department will take immediate action, if mine owner is found illegally extracting ore.

M/s Palondicar's proposal for production of Iron Ore and expansion of Manganese ore extraction capacity was rejected by National Board for Wildlife Life (NBWL) on April 12.

The NBWL had learnt that the mine was operational despite they having rejected the proposal for the same.

"It is learnt that mining operations by M/s A X Poi Palondicar is in full swing for past two weeks," the letter by Deputy Inspector General (WL) Prakriti Srivastava to the State Wildlife Warden had said.

The letter dated November 23 had asked the forest department to submit the status report to the Ministry, urgently.

The Ministry had also asked State Forest department to take necessary action to ensure compliance of the decisions by the NBWL.

The NBWL had rejected M/s Palondicar's proposal as the mining activity though was outside the protected areas, it would have negative impact on the wildlife in the sanctuary as well as on the bio-diversity and environment.

The proposed mining was 5.3 kms in the South East and 6.5 kms in the East of Netravali wildlife sanctuary. - PTI