- Supreme Court’s latest ruling lifts the 18-month long ban imposed on iron-ore mining in Goa.
- This will restore the livelihood of, many Goans who were dependent on mining, truck operators and other service providers, as also increase the country’s exports and the state’s economy.
- The reasons why the ban was earlier imposed:
- Between 2006 and 2011, iron exports surpassed the official production numbers giving evidence of unscrupulous mining companies pushing their operations beyond legal limits.
- Mining on restricted territories.
- Under reporting the quality and quantity of mining.
- Utter disregard for the environment when carrying out its operations.
- Regulations and directives issued by the SC:
- Prohibition of mining activities in areas which are less than a kilometre off of the boundaries of national parks and sanctuaries in Goa.
- It has directed the State and Centre to notify eco-sensitive zones around these areas.
- It has capped the maximum interim limit at 20 million tonnes of ore per annum.
- States are permitted to issue fresh leases as per their own transparent formulated policies.
- Read at: http://www.thehindu.com/
todays-paper/tp-opinion/ sustainable-mining/ article5945666.ece
Exams Perspective: