CM urges central govt to allow manual sand mining in state

Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant urged Union govt to relax the guidelines for the state to carry out sand extraction in rivers through traditional methods.

A senior officer said that sand extraction in CRZ areas is prohibited, which is why a lot of sand was transported at exorbitant prices from neighbouring regions. The officer explained that during the monsoon, rivers flowing from the hills bring sand into the rivers and deposit it. The NIO had conducted a study and informed the Union govt, said the officer.

“If central govt accepts the request of the state, then sand extraction can start only in the traditional manner,” the officer said.

State govt has been trying to find a solution to start sand extraction in rivers for many years but failed to do so. Several FIRs have been filed across the state for carrying out illegal sand extraction, while even canoes have been attached.

State urged Union govt to relax the sand extraction norms akin to those stipulated for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Sawant also sought amendments to the CRZ Notifications of 2011 and 2019, besides sustainable mining guidelines.

State govt said that the prohibition of sand extraction under these notifications adversely affected the availability of sand and the livelihood of dependent families.

State introduced the star rating system for minor minerals to encourage sustainable mining practices by evaluating and recognising mining leaseholders based on their performance in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects.

The rating system aims to foster transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in mining operations. It promotes sustainable mining practices, encourages mining activities that minimise environmental impact and enhance socio-economic benefits, cultivates a culture of openness and responsibility in mining operations, encourages compliance, motivates mining leaseholders to adhere to legal and regulatory requirements, and rewards mining operations that excel in ESG performance.

“By adopting these guidelines, states can ensure that mining operations contribute positively to the environment and society while maintaining economic viability,” said mines and geology director Narayan Gad.

“Star ratings will be assessed annually based on the mining leaseholders’ performance against the defined criteria. Independent third-party auditors, as nominated by govt, may validate the assessment to ensure objectivity and transparency, if required,” Gad added.