The Goa government has sought a scientific review of 153 mining leases within eco-sensitive areas of the Western Ghats to assess whether eligible mineral resources can be opened for auction while safeguarding ecologically fragile locations, CM Pramod Sawant said on Thursday. He listed this as one of the areas where closer co-ordination with Center can help Goa to move further. He was speaking at the fourth Conference of Mining Ministers on Reforms in the Mines and Coal Sector at Benaulim. Sawant said the state has approached the Centre seeking a review of certain villages within eco-sensitive areas through the applicable legal process.He said mining operators must comply with environmental clearances, approved mining plans, pollution control requirements and other statutory safeguards. Violations of environmental laws or prescribed mining conditions would attract strict action, he warned.
