mining im goa

Much was expected from the new government on the issue of

mining in Goa. HERALD spoke to long time anti-mining

campaigner, Dr Claude Alvares to find out what changes have

come about on the ground. Excerpts from the interview.

Q: How effective do you think the new government has been

in dealing with the mining issue?

A. They've been passing a circular a week, but the principal

scenario is untouched. Trucks are coming out from mining

areas without any controls. Traffic is still blocked.

Q Then government would argue it is a transportation

problem, that requires a mining bypass to sort out.

A. I don't know why the government is so bothered about

keeping mining going. It is as if there is some commitment

of the Goa government to the mine owners to keep the mines

going. The government of Goa does not know what is coming

out of any mine. Till today, I can tell you categorically,

whatever activities are taking place, are taking place

without the knowledge of the IBM [Indian Bureau of Mines], or

the department of mines and geology. It is very clear, there

is no officer on site. Nothing. They go once in a way for

an inspection. So as of now it is a factual thing that ore

is being extracted, and taken out, above environment

clearance limits.

FONTE GOANET