PANAJI: The state government in its affidavit filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has requested the court to exempt Goa from the ban on sand extraction as an effective regulatory mechanism for sand removal has been put in place. The affidavit filed by science, technology and environment director Levinson Martins assured NGT that sand will be removed strictly in accordance with the law. An NGT order dated August 14, 2013, had banned sand extraction across the country. Martins said that in Goa, sand is manually extracted by traditional extractors following age-old methods, whereas in a majority of other states, it is done mechanically using excavators and other mechanized devices. The affidavit also said that there is a sizeable population in Goa whose livelihood is dependent on manual removal of sand and its transportation. Martins, in the affidavit, also said that there are traditional communities in Goa that have been in the trade for decades and who do not have any other skills apart from manual sand removal as undertaken in river beds. From P1 "These traditional communities shall be adversely affected if such manual removal of sand from the riverine beds in Goa is abruptly discontinued," the affidavit said. Martins also said that the proposal for environment impact assessment study and identification agency for identifiying eco sensitive zone along the rivers has been moved to top priority by the state government. "The necessary environment clearances shall be obtained by the committee, in order to facilitate sand removal in accordance with law," the affidavit stated. It further stated that zones suitable for sand extraction in north Goa district have been provisionally identified and identification of zones suitable for sand extraction in South Goa district are under way. tnn
Posted on: Sat, 05 Oct 2013 03:43:40 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015