Cabinet divided over mining buffer zone

PTI, PANAJI | 24 October 2012 22:50 IST

Differences have emerged within the Manohar Parrikar-led government in Goa over the decision on buffer zones around wildlife sanctuaries in the state, which is crucial to the fate of mining leases operating in the vicinity.

While state cabinet has resolved that the buffer zone should be one kilometer for wildlife sanctuaries except in two cases where it is 100 metres, state forest minister Alina Saldanha has strongly opposed it claiming that the buffer zone should be maximum two kilometers.

There are around 33 mines operating within one kilometer of the wildlife sanctuaries and seven more mines between one-two kilometer range.

Mrs Saldanha told PTI that her decision to have two kilometers buffer zone is to protect flora and fauna of the state.

Mss Saldanha is a wife of former tourism minister late Matanhy Saldanha who had fought for the cause of environment in the state.

The state government has justified its stand of having just one kilometer buffer zone stating that Goa is already losing lot of land due to restrictions over coastal regulation zone, heritage sites etc.

Mrs Saldanha told PTI “it is my moral responsibility to protect the environment and forest in the state.”

The forest minister said that the buffer zone should be two kilometers for all the contiguous wildlife sanctuaries while in case of Salim Ali Bird sanctuary situated across an island near Panaji, it can be 100 metres as decided by the state government.

Government has decided as per its wisdom but I stand by my decision, she said.  


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In fact 2 kilometers to 5 kilometers is the right buffer zone for these notorious Goan mine owners. They should never be trusted after all the,scams of looting by excavating ore in excess of their own demarcated,areas. Mrs Saldanha should stick to her demand of larger buffer zones and not to bow to the pressure from mining mafia creating environmental menace in Goa.

- Ratikant, Uae | 26 th October 2012 17:48

 

today goan news papers have publish maps with various possible buffer zones. Looking at the maps i feel govt should suggest the supreme court two different buffer zones. 1 km buffer zone for normal human activity and 3 km buffer zone for mining. this will protect the entire forest of goa and also help the common man.

- Shriniwas Khalap, new delhi | 26 th October 2012 13:10

 

1 kilometer is just 1000 meters. If one digs a hole 50 meters deep at the distance of 1000 meters he covers entire 1000 meters. further as the miners dig they do not go by meters but they follow ore. So if a person is digging and the ore is towards the buffer zone he will dig towards it and not in in opposite direction where there is just useless mud and no ore. So in practical sense 1 km buffer zone is a useless thing. No mine owner will follow it. They WILL enter the wild life sanctuaries.

- Shriniwas Khalap, new delhi | 25 th October 2012 12:58

 

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