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
