Goa pollution board blows smoke on mining firms

The notices were issued by the board 10 days ago and expire on November 18.
Goa Foundation which has filed several mining related PILs in the high court, said it was doubtful if fresh environment clearances can be issued to all 45 mining leases, since there is an existing moratorium on consideration of environment clearances for mining activities in Goa.

The moratorium was imposed by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests in February 2010.

Most of the clearances to these leases were issued between the years 2005 and 2006.
In September 2006, the ministry replaced the 1994 EIA (environment impact assessment) notification by a new notification which does not carry the five year stipulation.

Talaulikar & Sons, the mining company involved in the writ petition in which the judgment was passed, did not move the apex court against the ruling of the Bombay High Court.

Instead, the company filed an application in the Bombay High Court seeking extension of time for procuring an environment clearance under the 2006 notification. That application was dismissed by the high court last week.