Digital Goa, Jan 16- High Court today issued a status quo order on the unloading and loading of mineral ores imported by rail at Kalay railway station till Jan 23. The Court passed its order on the basis of a PIL filed by the Goa Foundation which sought to argue that such activities could not be undertaken in a wildlife sanctuary, in view of several provisions of the Wildlife Act, 1972. The Court will hear the case for interim relief on January 23. “This means that until the next date, there should not be further loading or unloading of ore and even unloaded ore should not be transported from where it is already,” states the Court order. One of the main issues involved in this petition is whether this activity of loading and unloading of ore and its transportation can be undertaken without obtaining permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Pointing out that there is prima facie material on record to suggest that this activity is within the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS), the court order stated “Accordingly, we think that until the replies are filed and the matter is heard for interim relief, a status quo should be maintained at the site”.
