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Time of India
12-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
No powers to review EC for mining dump handling, says green authority
Panaji: The Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (Goa SEIAA) has decided to dispose of a case based on a complaint filed by the director of Goa Foundation, Claude Alvares, challenging the environmental clearance (EC) granted to a mining company for dump handling. The Goa SEIAA stated that, as per the EIA Notification, 2006, the authority has not been provided powers to review or recall an EC grant. The authority said the notification only allows for cancellation or revocation in cases where there is falsification or concealment of information, neither of which was applicable in this case. It therefore said that it could not review the EC in question. Alvares, in his letter to the Goa SEIAA, stated that the EC could not be granted in the absence of a 'valid mining lease'. He mentioned that the mining waste should be stored after being processed in the mining lease, which is in the Sirigao-Mayem area, and that it cannot be stored at the original dump site as it is located outside the lease area. The Goa Foundation director called for action against the mining company for violation before reviewing the EC. The mining company argued that the claim that the EC could not be granted without a valid mining lease, and solely based on the approval granted under the Goa Dump Handling Policy, 2023, is without merit at this time as the matter is sub judice. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Become Fluent in Any Language Talkpal AI Install Now Undo 'The authority noted that the complaint dated May 2, 2025 doesn't raise any legitimate grievances related to environmental impact assessment or degradation. Instead, the grievances pertain to the legal regime related to the Goa Dump Handling Policy, 2023, which falls outside the SEIAA's jurisdiction and is currently pending before the high court of Bombay. Notably, the Goa Dump Handling Policy, 2023, requires a proper plan for dump handling, which the project proponent has prepared, and a restoration and reclamation plan has been prepared taking the same into consideration,' the Goa SEIAA noted. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Two years on, Goa's big cat awaits protection as govt wages legal battle
The 2018 Status of Tigers in India report identifies low-density tiger habitats as essential for genetic diversity and population connectivity International Tiger Day , observed annually on July 29, was established to highlight the importance of tiger conservation and the threats they face. However, in Goa, the state's inaction in declaring Mhadei Sanctuary a tiger reserve contrasts with the National Tiger Conservation Authority 's emphasis on the region's vital role in conservation In the historic July 2023 judgment, the high court of Bombay at Goa had directed Goa govt to declare the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary and its surrounding areas as a tiger reserve within three months. Two years since, Goa govt has initiated no measures to declare these protected areas as a tiger reserve. The state's reason — it awaits hearing of its special leave petition filed before the Supreme Court challenging the high court order. The National Tiger Conservation Authority has emphasized the significance of Goa's Western Ghats strip as a crucial link for tiger conservation. The state's inaction comes despite the Union environment ministry's 2011 communication highlighting the region's potential as prime tiger habitat. The Goa Foundation has filed a contempt petition against state govt in response to its non-compliance with the court order. 'We filed the contempt petition within three months. The high court has said it will take up the matter, after the Supreme Court decides. If the SC accepts what the high court direction says then the high court will take up the contempt matter. Contempt matters are very serious matters. It must be clear that contempt has occurred,' said Claude Alvares of Goa Foundation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These 11 Everyday Foods Might Be the Key to Knee Pain Relief Undo The Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary forms a continuous tiger landscape with Karnataka's Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve. The 2018 Status of Tigers in India report identifies such low-density tiger habitats as essential for genetic diversity and population connectivity. Retired range forest officer Prakash Salelkar emphasizes the need for proper equipment and security measures in protected areas while awaiting the tiger reserve decision. 'Ammunition and equipment are the most important to maintain law and order in the area. Today, forest guards are afraid to go into tiger areas. In tiger reserves like Bandipur, guards are equipped with ammunition. Our tiger areas are also very remote and appropriate vehicles are needed to go into these areas. But if we keep denying there are tigers, then how will we equip our guards?' Salelkar said. Salelkar highlighted that tiger reserve status would bring dedicated central funding, unlike the current situation where forest department funding competes with other state priorities. The 2018 National Tiger Census recognizes Goa's entire Western Ghats strip from Sattari to Netravali as tiger habitat. The Goa State Board for Wildlife has already outlined a proposed core zone of 587 sqkm and a buffer zone of 167sqkm within the existing protected areas. However, in July 2023, chief minister Pramod Sawant's wildlife board meeting concluded that declaring a tiger reserve would not serve any significant purpose, citing similar protection provisions under existing wildlife laws and concerns about population density around protected areas. The NTCA has rejected this stance in its SC affidavit. 'It is important to enhance the protection regime, create inviolate core areas, maintain a healthy prey population within the wildlife sanctuary, ensure rivers are not dammed, and secure connectivity with neighbouring tiger bearing areas by regulating land use patterns hostile to tiger conservation,' the NTCA affidavit stated. The SC is scheduled to hear Goa's special leave petition in the third week of Aug. The state has maintained its position opposing the tiger reserve declaration, despite evidence supporting the area's importance for tiger conservation. The Wildlife Institute of India had previously identified Goa's protected areas, which connect to forests in Karnataka and Maharashtra, as potentially among the Western Ghats' finest tiger habitats requiring protection. Based on camera trap data and NTCA's census report, the Goa State Board for Wildlife had discussed and mapped a potential tiger reserve in Dec 2017, encompassing 754.9sqkm of protected area.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Greens call for protection of Goa's unique lateritic plateaus
Panaji: Environmentalists on Monday expressed serious concern over the approval of an eco-tourism resort project on the Surla plateau, stating that the project area falls within a critical tiger habitat within the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and will cause irreversible ecological damage. They called on Goa govt to impose protection measures to preserve the state's plateaus, stating these lateritic plateaus are unique and of massive ecological value. The project on the Surla plateau represents a worrying trend of converting Goa's fragile laterite plateau ecosystems into concrete jungles, said environmentalist Claude Alvares. 'To the untrained eye, these plateaus look barren. But scientific evidence shows they are teeming with life. Surla is a pristine example of this unique habitat. To sacrifice it for a resort, especially when it is a known tiger corridor, is a monumental and irreversible mistake. Studies have shown that up to 40% of plants on such plateaus are endemic to the region. These include rare species like Dipcadi goaense, a flowering plant described just 15 years ago and known only from a few Goan plateaus,' Alvares said. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) identified the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary as a prime habitat for tigers and recommended its declaration as a Tiger Reserve. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Experts Tested 17 Hearing Aids. Their #1 Pick Will Shock You Undo The proposed resort site on Surla Plateau falls directly within this area. The project threatens to fragment this critical habitat and disrupt tiger movement, said Nandini Velho. 'The proposed development on Surla is not an isolated incident but a case study in the systematic destruction of Goa's plateau ecosystems. This destruction has been fuelled by the official mischaracterisation of these areas as 'wastelands,' paving the way for their conversion. Other plateaus, including Verna, Kundaim, and Bambolim, have been similarly lost to industrial estates and urban development,' said Velho. Villagers in Loliem in Canacona are presently opposing the conversion of Bhagwati plateau for a film city project. The environmentalists urged govt to immediately reconsider all permissions for the Surla eco-tourism project and to formally recognise the ecological importance of Goa's laterite plateaus, including the Bhagwati, Socorro, and Mandrem plateaus. 'Laterite plateaus are unique, iron-rich rocky outcrops found in the Western Ghats region of India. Far from being wastelands, they are seasonal ecosystems that burst into life during the monsoon, supporting a high concentration of endemic and threatened flora and fauna specially adapted to their harsh conditions. They are also critical for groundwater recharge and are the source of countless springs and streams that are vital for homes and agriculture,' Velho said.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Goa govt challenges high court order on Sec 17(2) of TCP Act in Supreme Court
Panaji: Two months after the high court of Bombay at Goa struck down the rules and guidelines of the controversial Section 17 (2) of the Town and Country Planning Act , 1974, in 'public interest', state govt challenged the high court order in Supreme Court . 'After being entirely unclear of its proposed actions against the 17(2) judgment of the HC, Goa govt filed its SLP against the judgment this week,' Goa Foundation director Claude Alvares said. He said that as per govt's initial statements, the judgment was in its favour and there was no need to appeal. 'Now govt has once again changed its mind.' On May 2, TOI reported that the high court judgment became effective after the expiry of six weeks from the date of the verdict on March 13. After TCP minister Vishwajit Rane announced that state govt would not approach Supreme Court in the matter, all eyes were on govt's next move. The affected land developers were hopeful of some relief from the TCP department within the framework of the TCP Act. However, the greens are firm on fighting another legal battle to protect the environment. After the judgment was delivered on March 13, govt had sought a stay on the operation of the judgment for six weeks, which was accepted by the court. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 빠진 치아 있다면? 1개도 10개도 개당 33만원에 임플란트 해드려요 플란치과 더 알아보기 Undo 'Almost all the conversions are from paddy fields, natural cover, no-development zone, and orchard to settlement zones,' the HC said, adding that according to the state, 353 approvals under Section 17(2) were granted, affecting 26.5 lakh sqm. 'The 2023 rules confer unfettered and unguided authority on the executive to interpret what is meant by an inadvertent error or what is an inconsistent/incoherent zoning proposal,' the HC stated. 'There is no guidance in the 2023 rules themselves as to what is an 'inadvertent error or incoherent or inconsistent zoning proposal'. The power is open-ended.' Such 'plot-by-plot conversion, creating a zone within a zone virtually has the effect of mutilating the Regional Plan prepared after such an elaborate exercise,' the high court said. Two days after the HC struck down the rules and guidelines, Rane had said that govt would tweak the rules and guidelines in line with the HC directions and make Section 17(2) operational. Rane made a U-turn over his statement to challenge the HC order in Supreme Court and said that he would not do so.
