GAKUVED objects to proposal to declare Khotigao WLS as Critical Wildlife Habitat

30-09-2010

To,

The Chief Conservator of Forest,

Directorate of Forest,

Panaji, Goa

Sub: Adivasi Right to Recognition and Declaration of their Land Rights under Forest Rights Act, 2006.

Sir,

GAKUVED Federation strongly objects the decision of of the government to declare Khotigao Wildlife Sanctuary as 'Critical Wildlife Habitat' without settling claims of the Adivasi tribes and other forest dwellers under Forest Rights Act 2006 as it will be the total violation of Article 21 of the constitution of India. Article 21 of the Constitution assures the Adivasi tribes the right to their livelihood, right to their homes, right to their environment, right to their life and to live with human dignity.

Further to bring to your notice that in order to highlight problems related to land belonging to the tribal people in Goa GAKUVED has organized "People's Tribunal" with the theme "Restoration of Adivasi Homelands in Goa" on 30th & 31st May, 2009 at Menezes Braganza Hall, Panaji, Goa.

I am enclosing herewith the 'Interim Observations' of the said "People's Tribunal" for your kind information and request you to take necessary action on the recommendations made by the Panel of Jury.

Hope the above request will be considered and the land and resource rights of Adivasi tribes are not denied.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(Durgadas G. Gaonkar)

PRESIDENT

Mining companies stage coup, mines Netravali Wildlife sanctuary buffer zone

Mining companies has staged comprehensive coup in Goa. The most glaring example of this fact is supplied through the past two days of relentless ore transportation going on in zero kilometer buffer zone of the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhati village of Sanguem taluka in the survey numbers 11/0 and 24/0.

The department of Mines and Geology actually carried on the raid on this site and even sealed the machinery on April 16, 2010. The transportation of ore then had stopped. However after a fortnight things have changed. Transportation of ore resumed on May 03, 2010 with around 20 trucks plying on the site. This continued in a major part of the day on May 04, 2010 till young man Martin Fernandes who was to get married four days later was crushed to death under mining ore truck in Sanguem and public then closed all the roads for mining trucks. The roads are still closed for mining trucks today.

On May 04, 2010 Dilip Hegde, President of Goenchea Xetkaracho Ekvott (GXE) and myself - Sebastian Rodrigues, Convenor of Goa Federation of Mines Affected People (GOAMAP) met up with Mr. Lolienkar, Director of Mines and Geology, in its Panjim office brought this issue to his notice. He was abrasive this time. He declared that mining transportation of ore is legal as Department is receiving royalty from the Chowgule Mining company.

When he was asked as to why it premises was raided on April 16, 2010 director had no satisfactory answer to offer. Obviously there is something very fishy in the whole episode and it needs some deeper probe.

But one thing that stand clear is that lot of brief cases has exchanged hands for something as brazen as this to take place over the past few weeks. Its time we visualize scenarios to free the state of Goa from the state of emergency imposed by mining companies. This can only be done by imposing state of emergency on mining companies. The change towards liberation will herald then.

In the meanwhile please write as many letters of protest to Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Minister for Environment and Forest, Government of India, New Delhi protesting the mining activities withing zero kilometer buffer zone of Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. His e-mail is jairam54@gmail.com.

Sebastian Rodrigues

Political Parties in Goa assembly: consensus to destroy Forest

It is now no longer in a simmering state. Its out in open. It is secret exploded. Goa's forest must be destroyed! And this is not official but consensus amongst all the elected political parties in the Goa Legislative Assembly. It may be officially declared forest or lush green forest that has not officially classified as forest. The four examples shows this trend crystal clear.

The first one. The Thivim Cricket stadium in Bardez. Here it is legally recognized forest. Irrespective of court intervention giving some respite to the forest and thousands of forest trees, it remains one of the colossal political blunders wherein the elected parties has lost all of their wickets on cricket stadium. There is no difference between between ruling and opposition in Goa. No even the gap is cosmetic. In fact each parties irrespective whether they are in ruling or the opposition are in disgusting nexus either covertly or overtly with anti-forest, anti-ecology forces. Cricket in its commercial mode currently in place is merely money spinner. It is not worth that Goa sacrifices its forest for the sake of cricket. Our politicians cannot see beyond their nose for them not to consider the interest of forest. Sometimes I wonder if they have a nose at all. Surely they have eyes and they are hawkish in nature. They detect notes on their radar.

The second example. The Panchwadi exclusive 45 meters road through forest for mining industry. This is perhaps aggression on forest in its most refined manner. Land acquisition law has been invoked. The same law that British formulated in 1890s to further their colonial practice to tame India to succumb to its rule. The road is through dense forest. It is distance of nearly 14 kilometers. I have tracked through this forest along with few other and saw where the boundary stones are placed. Nearby is Maisal dam that supplies water for drinking and irrigation purposes. Sanvordem- Curchorem is already a dust and traffic problem that some people - in including Goa's leader of the opposition Manohar Parrikar as well as Chief Minister Digambar Kamat - claim will be solved with wide road through lush green forest. This claim can be described as most stupid that can come only from the agents of the mining companies. So here again there is consensus that the Western Ghats forest must be destroyed. Goa's political parties in the assembly has launched mission suicide. My complete support to people of Panchwadi who are opposing the exclusive roads for mining.

The third example. The Mopa airport. These are set of four villages whose economies are agrarian. The surroundings are green and forest is visible though it is not classified. Goa already has one airport and for small State like Goa it is fine and centrally located. What is the logic to destroy ecology, displace people and impose airport in Pernem. Problems of Pernem is feudalism that is so typically represented by its landlord Jitendra Prabhu. It cannot be solve with airport. Airport will only create more problems. But why all the political parties in the assembly sing in one chorus in support of airport. They are addicted, they yearn to suffer or perhaps already suffer gluttony of riches. Political parties in Goa are no longer rooted in soil. They are uprooted bunch of brats who can only imagine selling of the soil via mining or tarring of soil via airport. They suffer short circuit in their faculty of imagination. It has fused off. Political parties has lost something precious - equanimity. Few months ago during Zilla Parishad elections in Goa the airport affected people in Pernem boycotted the elections. They voted for none of the candidates as each of the candidates was from political parties and they found no merit in either of them. it is indeed very remarkable that they found the established political leaders in Goa irrelevant. Surely people of Mopa have some treasured wisdom. Our leaders are indeed irrelevant. They can became relevant only if they care for themselves to root back into the soil and get away from their current rooting in money bags and shady land deals. My complete support to People of Mopa, Pernem.

The fourth example. Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary. Till couple of years back there was no major trouble to the local people there. They suddenly forest department dug so called boundaries and made it impossible for the cattle to enter forest for grazing purpose. Human mobility into the forest is greeted with metal gate in Auli village. But most dangerous thing the forest department in engaged in doing in Canacona, Sanguem and all other forest in their jurisdiction is aggressive plantations of eucalyptus trees. These are alien species of trees that drastically change the natural composition of forest trees. In some places natural forest is felled by forest officials and these eucalyptus trees are planted. Now this is very stupid. No animal eat the leaves of these trees nor any grass would grown on ground where the trees are spread. These leaves takes very long to decompose. Who benefits from this? Perhaps some timber or paper industry. And now Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) is aggressively pursuing the policy of evicting people living the legally classified forest areas away from it. Why? because forest department cannot pursue its goals in full swing. it considers these people in forest as its enemies. The pressure is already being felt in Goa. In fact digging of boundaries and fencing forest ways with metal gates in Cotigao did not evoke strong response from any of the elected politicians in the Goa Assembly. Why? because they care for the people only at the time of voting. And that is once in 5 years. The rest of the time their masters are someone else. They may be anybody except the people who vote for them. Perhaps this is inherent flow of the representative democracy that we have in place. Perhaps it is time to think bold and do away with this kind of democracy and proceed towards more direct democracy. More direct in a sense that people will govern their lives without anyone representing them but will deal with bureaucracy directly or in in groups. They will directly express to the authorities not only their voice but also the voice of forest, plants, tress, insects, worms, birds, animals, fishes, wells, rivers, reptiles, amphibians, and every life form. It is time to venture out boldly, in diversity.

Sebastian Rodrigues

Mining in Netravali Wildlife sanctuary border

According to the information just received illegal mining activities has started in on the border of Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. For the past two day it has been noticed by the villagers that 4 wheel loaders are stationed on the site and trucks are deployed transporting iron ore through the forest area. 50 truck loads of iron ore has been transported during the past two days.

When Goa Foundation order to close down the mining inside the sanctuary and the bufffer zones of sanctuary these mines with over 1,500 tonnes of ore was closed down. Hectic activities are noticed by the miners during the past one week wherein local MLA, local ZP member, Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao as well as manger of Chowgule mining company was seen inspecting the site.

According to the sources the mining ore is located in the villages of Viliena, Potrem, Todov and Bhatti, all in Sanguem taluka's lush green western ghats forests.

All the attempts to reach the Forest officials in Margao office has proved futile so far due to public holiday today. Reliable sources however informed that the plans are afoot to deploy Goa Police in large numbers in the next few days to facilitate illegal transportation of ore through Western Ghats forest.

Sebastian Rodrigues

Mining inside Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary FIR copy

From: By Hand Delivery

Shankar Raghunath Jog,

Margawadi, Sancordem,

Via TISKA, GOA ...Pin: 403406.

Phone No. 2611499 & 2611032.

Date: 19^th November, 2009.

To,

The in-charge/Inspector

Ponda Police Station,

Ponda, Goa.

Sub: First Information Report of Criminal offence of environmental destruction in Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary at Darbandora, Goa.

Sir,

This is to inform you that mining operations are intermittently being carried out at Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary in village Darbandora, Goa, without ‘Environment Clearance’ from the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt. of India, as required under provisions of ‘Environment (Protection) Act, 1986’. This is a cognizable criminal offence punishable under sections 15 & 16 of this Act attracting 5 years imprisonment.

The person/s carrying out this mining operation are unknown to me, but I have noticed that Earth excavating machinery is used to excavate and trucks are carrying the material to unknown destination.

It is therefore requested that immediate action be taken to stop this illegal operation and to apprehend the culprits.

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(Shankar R. Jog)

Copy by post to:

1. D.I.G. Police Headquarters, Panaji.

2. Chief Conservator of Forest, Govt. of Goa,

Maratha Samaj Building, Panaji.

3. Director, Mines & Geology, Govt. of Goa,

Udyog Bhavan, Panaji.

FIR copy against mining inside buffer zone of Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary

From: By Hand Delivery

Shankar Raghunath Jog,

Margawadi, Sancordem,

Via TISKA, GOA ...Pin: 403406.

Phone No. 2611499 & 2611032.

Date: 19^th November, 2009.

To,

The in-charge/Inspector,

Ponda Police Station,

Ponda, Goa.

Sub: First Information Report of Criminal offence of environmental destruction at Darbandora, Goa.

Sir,

This is to inform you that mining operations are intermittently being carried out at T. C./Leases No. 7/59 situated in village Darbandora, under survey number), 36/1 and 37/1 without ‘Environment Clearance’ from the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt. of India, as required under provisions of ‘Environment (Protection) Act, 1986’. This is a cognizable criminal offence punishable under sections 15 & 16 of this Act attracting 5 years imprisonment.

It is therefore requested that immediate action be taken to stop this illegal operation and to apprehend the culprits.

In this connection, it is further brought to your notice that earlier a complaint was registered in your office under Cr. No. 289/2007 for this offence, however, to my knowledge no action is taken so far to apprehend the culprits. And as there is no action from your department the culprits are daring to commit this offence again.

It is also brought to your notice that carrying out mining operations in these T. C.’s is contempt of Hon. High Court of Bombay at Goa in accordance with order dated 7^th June, 2006 in Writ Petition no. 78/2006. And in the event there is no positive action from you, you may also be a party in the contempt of court proceedings, which I intend to start.

It may also be noted that it is hardly possible to carry out these mining operations without consent/knowledge of concerned land owners and power of attorney of T. C./Lease holders, Shri. Dinar Tarcar, who is also the Managing Director of M/s Minescape Earthmovers Pvt. Ltd., Campal, Panaji, a mining company.

It is, therefore, once again requested to take immediate action to stop this illegal action, to investigate and to apprehend the culprits.

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(Shankar R. Jog)

Copy by post to:

1. D.I.G. Police Headquarters, Panaji.

2. Director, Mines & Geology, Govt. of Goa,

Udyog Bhavan, Panaji.

3. Goa State Pollution Control Board, Panaji

Mining in Bondla wildlife sanctuary

Bondla wildlife sanctuary in Goa has become the target of violent illegal mining activity. Goa government role role is more akin to new born closed eyed breast feeding baby cats. The contractor- Dinar Tarcar - here is politically close to ruling congress party enjoys blessings of Goa Chief Minister and even has been president of its youth wing in Goa, is tying to make hay while the sun of China boom shines; just like several hundred others in Goa today.

Tiger tension

Environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar is an outstanding teacher,environmentalist and a fine human being. He has gone out of his way to help so many youth of his own and surrounding villages acquire a good education and develop a sensitivity to their environment.

It is a fact that a tiger was killed; though by whom we do not know. There is some confusion, because what was sent as suspected tiger remains to the Wildlife Institute at Dehradun has turned out to be another animal. But this is no excuse for the virtual witch-hunt and social boycott that Mr Kerkar is facing in his own village.

The charge that he is “trying to spoil the future of the youth” is ridiculous. It is for people all over the state to stand up for one of Goa’s finest practicing environmentalists. It is the duty of Valpoi MLA Vishwajeet Rane to come to Mr Kerkar’s help, rather than side with his detractors.

Editorial, Herald, Panjim, September 18, 2009

14 iron ore mines close, 78 others face closure in Goa

Business Standard Dilip Kumar Jha / Mumbai September 09, 2009, 0:22 IST

Fourteen of the 103 operating leased mines in Goa have been closed in the last one month and another 78 are facing threats of closure due to alleged violation of environmental norms.

The ministry of environment and forests had earlier issued notices to owners of these mines in which the latter were asked to submit official documentation and details of clearances submitted to the ministry while obtaining the “green signal”.

The development assumes significance as miners are delaying submitting documents to the ministry as the demand for iron ore from China has declined dramatically in the last one month resulting in a more than 30 per cent decline in prices. Goa contributes over 40 per cent of about 100 million tonnes of iron ore exports, mainly to China, annually.

Confirming the delay by miners to submit documents to the environment ministry, Glenn Kalavampara, Secretary of Goa Mineral Ore Exporters’ Association (GMOEA) said, “Mineowners are not in a hurry due to slowdown in mining activities during monsoon.” He, however, added that miners are successfully getting clearances as and when they submit documents to the ministry.

“All coastal activities including handling of ships remain closed during three months of monsoon due to high water level on Goan ports. Therefore, miners are waiting and watching the price movement in Chinese market,” said Haresh Melwani, CEO, H L Nathurmal & Co — a Goa-based miner and exporter of iron ore.

Meanwhile, iron ore prices have declined to $80 a tonne now from $115 a tonne about a month ago as China has stopped procuring steelmaking raw material completely. Since, India sells much of its iron ore to China on spot basis which offers comfort for local miners here to take immediate decision on whether to sell or hold their mine outputs at the prevailing price.

Indian miners would not be interested selling iron ore of 63.5 grade below $80 a tonne while Chinese steel mills would stay away from spot market for some more time to create pressure on miners to cut prices, Melwani added.

Meanwhile, China’s iron ore stockpiles of 72.15 million tonnes may not last long looking at the country’s ambitious steelmaking plan for 2009. According to data compiled by China Iron and Steel Association, the country’s crude steel production was running at an all time peak at 1.67 million tonnes in the first fortnight of August which will take the annual production of 610 million tonnes, a rise of 20 per cent from the actual production of 500 million tonnes in 2008. Therefore, the country will have to return to spot market or sign long term deal with the price agreed by global supplier i.e. Rio Tinto, BHP and Vale, said Melwani.

Goa produces largely low grade of iron ore which domestic steel mills do not consume as high grade ore is adequately available closed to steelmaking facilities. Transporting of iron ore from Goa to steel mills elsewhere will not be viable because of high charges. Also, large steel mills, barring a few, have captive high grade mines and hence, do not require low grade iron ore. Therefore, Goan miners depend only on export to China being geographically advantageous

Goa government for slashing buffer zones around sanctuaries

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/goa-government-for-slashing-buffer-zones-around-sanctuaries_100240221.html

Panaji, Aug 30 (IANS) Contrary to assurances given by the Goa government to
crack down on rampant mining in forest areas, its report submitted to the
union Ministry of Environment and Forests has recommended drastic reduction
of eco fragile zones near wildlife sanctuaries.

Environmentalists as well as opposition parties have slammed the government
over the report on eco fragile zone.

Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Shashi Kumar told IANS that the report,
which was prepared by former state revenue secretary Rajiv Yaduvanshi, had,
in fact, recommended in some cases doing away completely with the buffer
zones around wildlife sanctuaries like Netravali, Bhagwan Mahavir and Mhadei
favouring their reduction to zero metres.

The gist of the report, which is pending with the central government for
approval, is that the area and extent of eco sensitive zones will be decided
on a case to case basis, Kumar said. The buffer zones were earlier five
kilometres.

In some cases, the buffer zones around these sanctuaries will be reduced to
less than five kilometres and in some to zero metres, he said. We have
asked the centre to expedite a decision on the report. We are sending them
constant reminders to inform us about the status of the report, Kumar said.

The report, after conducting field inspections, has also recommended that
the entire buffer zone along the Netravali and Bhagwan Mahavir wildlife
sanctuaries, which are located along the states eastern border, shared with
Karnataka, be reduced to zero metres.

The issue of mining in and around wildlife sanctuaries rocked the recently
concluded monsoon session of the state assembly.

The draft mineral policy tabled by the state government also advocates
mining in close vicinity of wildlife sanctuaries.

Environmentalists have protested against the report. We have raised our
objections to the report with the state government. The sole purpose of the
report is to encourage mining, said green activist Claude Alvares of Goa
Foundation, an environmental monitoring action group.

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has repeatedly alleged that several
cabinet ministers in the Congress-led alliance government were involved in
illegal mining.

Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar had also alleged that nearly 18
percent of Goas 33 million tonnes iron, manganese and bauxite mining
exports were fed by illegal mining. There are presently more than 100 mining
leases in the state.

Goa draft policy permits mining near sanctuaries

PANJIM, AUG 23
Even as 13 mines including six which are close to wildlife sanctuaries, are facing closure, the Goa government’s draft mineral policy interestingly allows mining in close vicinity of the already notified wildlife sanctuaries in Goa.

The draft mining policy which was tabled during the Budget Session of the Goa legislative assembly clearly advocates mining near the State’s wildlife sanctuaries, which are a part of the ecologically sensitive Western ghats, according to an IANS report.

“Mining leases/prospecting licences within close proximity from already declared wild life sanctuaries would be considered provided they adhere to additional safeguards and guidelines whilst operating so as to reduce any adverse effect to the environment,” the draft mining policy states.

After Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira gave an assurance to take action against illegal operations of mines, the Pollution Control Board issued closure notices.

Earlier the committee headed by Chief Conservator of Forest Sashi Kumar had named some mines which had blatant violation including operating without permission of the statutory authorities. The draft policy however, does not permit mining within wildlife sanctuaries and national parks ‘for the time being’.

“The State government is also of the view that while it is necessary to earmark mining areas, presently no prospecting leases should be allotted in wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Similarly, no prospecting leases on wetlands should be allowed for the time being,” the document states.

The draft policy also aims to evolve a mechanism to ensure that numerous dormant non-operational leases issued by the Portuguese government, which ruled Goa, before the State was liberated in 1961.“A number of mining concessions are being kept idle for speculative purposes and future mining… The State government is also concerned with issues of conservation of minerals as well as sustainable development and as such would discourage opening existing dormant leases uniformly,” the draft policy states, adding that no such dormant leases would be permitted to work without an environmental clearance and forest clearance, wherever required.

Interestingly, while the State government’s draft mining policy clearly advocates mining within close proximity of wildlife sanctuaries, it also speaks of maintaining the ecological balance in the State.The draft mining policy is the brainchild of Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, who is also the minister for mining, the agency report said.

“It would be the endeavour of the State government to ensure that mining activities do not create an adverse impact to the environment and ecology,” it states.

Herald, Panjim, August 24, 2009

Goa Mining: From Minutes of the 13th Meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife

Ministry of Environment and Forests
Wildlife Section
Minutes of the 13th Meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife held
on 12th December, 2008 in Paryavaran Bhavan under the Chairmanship of Hon'ble Minister of State (Forests and Wildlife.)

The 13th meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) was convened on 12th December, 2008 in Room No.403, Paryavaran Bhavan, under the Chairmanship of Hon'ble Minister of State (Forests and Wildlife).

Agenda Item No.5: Proposals pursuant to directions of Hon'ble Supreme Court pertaining to Eco-Sensitive Zones.

While introducing the agenda, Member Secretary informed that Hon'ble Supreme Court while hearing the Writ Petition (Civil) No.460/2004 had directed the applicants (in IA Nos.170-175) to approach the Standing Committee of NBWL for consideration of the feasibility of mining operations near the Sanctuary area. In this connection, three proposals from the State ofGoa have been received for consideration of the Standing Committee of NBWL. These proposals are as follows :-(i) Renewal of mining operation in the vicinity of Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary by M/s V.M. Salgaocar and Bro. Pvt. Ltd.(ii) Mining operation in the vicinity of Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollen National Park by Dr. Prafulla R. Hede;24(iii) Renewal of mining lease No.29/55 in the vicinity of Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary by M/s Achuta V.S. Velingkar, Goa. (included in the additional agenda items)

Member Secretary also apprised the Committee that, Hon'ble Supreme Court in W.P.No.202/1995 has issued directions to stop mining operations within 1 km. from the boundary of the Protected Areas. But in the instant cases, matter has been referred to the Standing Committee of NBWL to consider the feasibility of mining operations closer to the Sanctuary area and the Committee may discuss the matter.

He also informed that CWLW, Goa has recommended the proposal. It was furtherinformed that:• In case of M/s V.M. Salgaocar & Bro Pvt. Ltd., the mining is 550 meters away from the boundary of Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. It has about 49.735 ha of forest land partly broken for mining. It has been proposed to break further 8.627 ha of area for iron ore mining.• In case of second proposal, the mining is about 650 meters away from the boundary of Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park. It involves felling of 2128 trees of different species in 9 ha of land which is proposed to be broken for mining.• In the third case, the mining site is at a distance of 160-400 meters from the boundary of Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. In this case, already opened area has been proposed for mining and no fresh breaking of land for mining hasbeen proposed.

CWLW, Goa informed that all these proposals were old leases of the Portuguese time. In all these three cases, mining operators have taken all due care in past not to cause any negative impact on the environment and presently their operations were closed. He had recommended these proposals with certain conditions.

The Non official Members were of the opinion that no mining in such a close vicinity of Protected Area should be permitted. Dr. M.K. Ranjitsinh suggested to reject all the proposal, as mining in vicinity of the Protected Area should not be permitted because of its ill affects on the environment. Dr. Rehmani and Dr. B. Talukdar also opined against the considerations of theproposals, as it will have great impact all over the country.

CWLW, Goa observed that irrespective of their order of not permitting any mining operation within 1 km from the boundary of Protected Area, Hon'ble Supreme Court in the instant case has referred it for consideration of the Standing Committee of NBWL and mining has been going on in these areas for a long time. Dr. M.K. Ranjitsinh, Dr. Asad Rehamani and Dr. B.K. Talukdar conveyed their strong opposition to and with disagreement with the permission to allow mining within a radius of 1 kilometer of the Sanctuary. It was pointed out by them that mining constitutes a major source of disturbance and has deleterious impacts upon .protected areas and its fauna. The Supreme Court itself had not permitted mining within 1 kilometer of Protected Areas and though the apex court itself has referred the matter to the Standing Committee, the Committee should not give clearance to such mining because of the adverse impact, and that it would be a very dangerous precedent and opening of a "Pandora's box" of such applications close to other protected areas. To the argument of the Chief Wildlife Warden of Goa that these mines existed before the declaration of the sanctuary in question, Dr.Ranjitsinh argued that a number of activities which had occurred in areas before they become parks and sanctuaries including utilization of forest produce by neighboring peoples and which had been curtailed or abolished following the establishment of Protected Areas, why cannot a destructive practice like mining, therefore, be stopped after the establishment of a Protected Area?.

After deliberations and considering the recommendation of CWLW, Goa, the Committee took a majority view to recommend the mining on the already broken land for mining in all the three proposals without breaking any new land within 1 km from the boundary of Protected Area. However, the foresaid three Non official members did not agree to this recommendation of the Committee.

6.4 Mining lease No.29155 in the vicinity of Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary by Shri Atchuta V.S. Velingkar, Goa
This item has already been discussed under Agenda item No.5.