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Time of India
16 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
NGT tells green authority to consider concerns over proposed Xelvona jetty
Panaji: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (Goa SEIAA) to consider the apprehensions expressed by locals who challenged the approval granted for the construction of a permanent jetty along the Zuari river at Xelvona in Quepem, for loading and unloading minerals. The appellant told the NGT that the proposed jetty partially falls in a no-development zone as per the CRZ Notification, 2011. Challenging the order of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) recommending the proposal for the jetty to the Goa SEIAA, the appellants expressed before the NGT their apprehension that the recommendations made by the GCZMA failed to consider that the site inspection report of March 27, 2024, 'categorically found that the proposed jetty partly falls in a no-development zone'. They said the area in question is environmentally sensitive, where permanent construction cannot be allowed, the existing traffic on the Zuari river from other jetties, boats, vessels, etc., is already too high, and the carrying capacity of the village roads has not been assessed. 'The GCZMA also failed to consider various misleading and false information with respect to non-disclosure of the existence of other jetties within 500m for the purpose of their cumulative impact assessment, submitted by the project proponent. In the case at hand, there are three jetties within 500m of the project, which amounts to providing misleading information as no cumulative assessment has been carried out,' the NGT was told. The applicants also said that the kind of jetties being set up at the site would adversely affect the Nanda lake. Stating that the appealed appeared to be premature as so far, only the proposal for the jetty has been recommended by the GCZMA to the Goa SEIAA, the tribunal said it is up to the latter to consider whether those recommendations are to be allowed or rejected. However, the NGT told the Goa SEIAA that while considering the recommendations made by the GCZMA, it should take into consideration all the apprehensions expressed by the applicants. The appellants have been told to approach the Goa SEIAA within eight days. 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
6 days ago
- 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.
