Goa: Illegal mining has been a contentious issue in Goa. The state government on its part has said that it is actively working to cease all illegal mining activities. But NDTV has a report that shows that at least three mines have been cleared to illegally jut into wildlife sanctuaries.
The Goa government has cleared the encroachment of entire buffer zones in three wildlife sanctuaries namely Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary. Sources tell NDTV that buffer zones could be eaten into by mines.
''There are no settlements, industries or any construction happening near the sanctuaries. The sole purpose of doing this is to facilitate mining,'' said Claude Alvares, director of Goa Foundation.
The Centre has not yet approved the plan but that hasn't stopped the state from starting the carnage clearing the area for mines to move in.
''We had sent the report to the Centre. In fact we have asked them to expedite the matter. For now, since this report has been approved by the state government, we are taking decisions based on it,'' said Shashi Kumar, chief conservator of forests, Goa.
The wildlife sanctuaries of Western Ghats are considered one of the best biodiversity spots in the world. As per law they need 1 to 5 kilometres of buffer zone to dilute human interference.
Already mining near sanctuaries has made the wildlife insecure as a local farmer told NDTV that his entire farm was destroyed by bisons.
''The animals come to our fields once their habitat is threatened. Where will they go? They come in search of water,'' said Rama Velip, a farmer.
If the Goa government has its way then destruction could come up at Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary's doorstep further throttling the wildlife habitat in the state.