BICHOLIM: Environmentalist Ramesh Gawas has objected to the Environmental Clearance given to a mine at Vathadev in Bicholim taluka. Last month the central government had given an EC to the mine that was in news some five years ago when locals and environmentalist had also objected to the proposed mine. Speaking to Herald Gawas said, “The mine is proposed on some 7.20 lakh sqmts of land and the lease area consists of a river, cashew fields and forest area.” “The Tillari irrigation canal also goes through this land and it is also demarcated as a flood prone zone. To add to this there is a road that connects Bicholim to Naiginim village and if mining starts all this will be destroyed. In view of this mining cannot be started in the area,” Gawas said. Gawas also said that in about 1 lakh sqmts of land there is kulagar and the Bicholim river goes through this area. “Mining at Vathadev cannot start because as per the guidelines at least 50 mts of land should be kept on either side of the canal and 10 mts on either side of the existing road,” Gawas said