NDTV.com: Hidden cost of mining in Goa

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Hidden cost of mining in Goa

Priyanka Kakodkar

Monday, November 12, 2007, (Goa)

Few are aware that Goa is one of the biggest exporters of iron ore in the country. And while this has been an economic trigger for the state it's come at a cost to Goa's ecology and local residents.

Nearly 70 mines that stretch across the state work overtime to dig up half a country's iron ore exports. The boom in Chinese demand has seen extraction doubling in just five years - from16 million tones in 2001 to 30 million tones in 2006.

Goa's mining leases are set for renewal this month. But as we drive through the mining belt there's little sign of regulation to control the fallout of the surge in mining.

Like the old mining pit in Sangeum taluka abandoned after the ore was taken out and scores of craters across the state once lush hills now reduced to waste land. Even though the law says they must be refilled and replanted.

"Mining leases in Goa are being operated without following a single environmental norm. Every year 60,000 tonnes of mud, silt and iron ore goes into the two main rivers in Goa," said Claude Alvares, Director, the Goa Foundation.

Flouting rules

At the forest in Sangeum a mine is at work and the government is flouting its own rules by clearing mining leases not just in the forest but also in wildlife sanctuaries.

It was only after a supreme court order in 2003 that mining in wildlife sanctuaries was halted.

"These leases were the legacy of the Portuguese, but the ministry of environment and forests has become very stringent when it comes to the renewal of leases," said J P Singh, Chief Secretary.

However, there's little sign of regulation at the Khandepar River which has turned red with mining waste.

People are now weighing the jobs generated by mining against the costs of living around the mines.

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User Comments [ +Comment on the story ]

Posted By michael-Tuesday, November 13, 2007

our goan all POLITICIANS ONLY KNOWS TO DEPOSITS HUGE SUM OF MONEY IN SWISS BANK.

Posted By Vijay-Tuesday, November 13, 2007

This show how bad we are following the rules, regulations and laws we set. Bad minds!