Date | May 16, 2017:

A senior official of the department has said that increased surveillance was necessary as the month of May sees peak mining activities on account of the approaching monsoon.

“Our field officers are set to conduct raids every alternate day, viz. until monsoon sets in and the mining season comes to an end,” he added.

“Maximum truck movement takes place during the month as leaseholders are eager to extract to the maximum capacity and increase income,” explained the official.

He added that surveillance so far has revealed illegal mining only in minor minerals and not of iron ore. Goa’s mining season takes a halt in June when the rains begin.

“Illegal sand mining has increased although sand extraction has been allowed in the clearly demarcated zones.

Some officials of the department have opined that the sudden showers witnessed in the state could see a reduction in illegal sand mining activities.

The raids conducted from May 9 to May 15 have led to seizures of 56 trucks which had been carrying illegally mined minor minerals such as basalt, sand and laterite stones.

On Monday 25 trucks loaded with minor minerals were seized. Prior to that 20 trucks carrying minor minerals were seized at Porvorim and Bicholim on May 11; and 18 trucks carrying illegal sand were seized on May 9.

The mines department has banned sand extraction at two zones in Chapora river. The department found that permit holders and illegal extractors were carrying out sand extraction during nighttime at Camurlim and Colvale zones. Both the zones have been banned for sand extraction and heavy fines have been imposed on illegal sand extraction in these zones.

Earlier, the National Green Tribunal had ordered installation of CCTVs at Colvale localities so as to control sand extraction during nighttime.

The department has acted tough against illegal sand extractors.

(Source: http://www.navhindtimes.in/)