Illegal mining has come to light in Goa in the tiger corridor. The forestry department has initiated an investigation into the mining activity which was being conducted near the Netravali wildlife sanctuary in east Goa.
Shashi Kumar the principle chief wildlife warden said that that forestry officials had been asked to verify the extent of mining carried out in the area. The sanctuary is part of a tiger corridor which runs between the states of Goa and Karnataka.
There are about 24 mining leases that ring the sanctuary area. The presence of iron ore has triggered illegal mining by M/s A X Poi Palondicar despite permit rejections from the environment and forest ministry.
National Board for Wildlife Life had rejected the company’s proposal to produce iron ore and expand its manganese ore extraction capacity in April this year. The mine was still operational despite the rejected proposal.
The Deputy Inspector General (WL), Prakriti Srivastava, reported that the mining activities have been in full swing for the last two weeks.
A government probe has been launched to determine if mining activity continues to date. The State Forest department has been asked to take necessary action to ensure that the decision of the National Board for Wildlife Life is complied with.