A study commissioned by the Goa Government to examine the effects of open cast iron ore mining on environment in the State has revealed that the impact assessment reports filed by the mining companies were based on false data. Sujeeth Kumar Dongre, convener of the Centre for Environment and Education (CEE), an NGO, commissioned by the State Government to carry out the study, revealed that prima facie it appeared that most reports - even those submitted to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests for renewal of leases - often did not accurately represent the ground situation. "We started the study in April 2011 and the report would be completed in two to three months. From initial analysis, it seems the environment impact assessments (EIA) and the environment management plans (EMPs) filed by the mining companies contain false data," Dongre said. The CEE is providing logistical support to renowned environmentalist Madhav Gadgil-led delegation which has been assigned to prepare a document for drafting a vision for Goa as far as environment and mining is concerned. Dongre said that information on the extent of mining and other data on the industry was hard to come by. It is mandatory for all mining companies to submit EIA reports when applying for permission to begin operations at a leased site to foresee and address potential environmental problems and concerns at an early planning stage of the mining project, while an EMP is a description of the means of achieving environmental objectives and targets. Over 110 mines are in operation in Goa and 130 are awaiting clearance. A total of 600 million MT of mining wastes are dumped in and around 50 villages spread across the State's mining belt. Over three-fourths of a million trees have been legally ordered to be cut by the Goa Forest Department, largely for mining purposes. The Opposition has accused several Cabinet Ministers in the Goa Cabinet of being involved in illegal mining business. According to Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar, nearly 18 per cent of Goa's annual output of 40 million Mt iron ore (worth some `6,000 crore) is illegally mined. Email | Print | Rate: 12345