Policy makers and environmentalists are gradually moving towards a consensus that there should be ceiling on the iron ore tapped from Goa’s soil.
The Goa Government, by and large, has not taken any stand in this matter. The Goa Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, said issues such as ceiling could be addressed through the State mining policy, a document that is still being worked upon.
The State Governor, Dr S.S. Sidhu, during the Environment Protection Council meeting held on Wednesday had said that State should go ahead with its own policy to control mining.
“The State Government should go ahead with framing its own policy to control mineral ore mining which may be aligned with the central policy,” Mr Sidhu said.
The Governor, addressing a meeting in the presence of the Chief Minister said that mining has started affecting the environment in the State and the Government should have a policy framework to tackle it.
The Governor’s view echoes the opinion expressed by noted environmentalist, Mr Madhav Gadgil, who had questioned the hurry in tapping the mineral resource.
“What’s the hurry? The mineral ore resources are not going to perish and demand for it will continue even in future,” Mr Gadgil had said addressing a Youth Convention recently.
Mr Gadgil, Chairman on Western Ghat Ecology Experts Panel, has also hinted at regulation of mining around these bio diversity hotspots.
Goa exports around 45 million tonnes of iron ore to countries such as China. A royalty of around Rs 900 crore is earned by the State through the exports.
The demand for ore fuelled by China has suddenly prepped up mining activity in the State. Firms such as Vedanta Resources have acquired mines from Dempos, who were the traditional mine owner along with others like Salgaoncar, Timblo and Chowgules.