Fate of :unsettled" peoples in “intent to declare” sanctuaries hang in balance
The fate of effectively 12 working mining leases and ninetyodd nonworking leases have affectively been sealed with the state governmentaccepting one kilometer as the “acceptable buffer zone”. While Chief MinisterManohar Parrikar says that “this was the best possible solution with minimumimpact on mining”, and in tune with the broad CEC recommendations, there areseveral issues that will have ramifications still, industry feels.
What is significant though is that the 2 kilometer bufferzone suggestion mooted by Environment and Forests Minister Alina Saldhana, hasbeen completely rejected by the cabinet after she raised it. The Chief Ministerapparently told her “You do your duty by raising it, but the collectivedecision of the cabinet is that no development can take place with a 2kilometer zone”.
In a letter written by the government through PrincipalSecretary Revenue R.K. Verma on October 18, the cabinet decision wasreproduced. “It will be an economic disaster to accept a 2 kilometer bufferzone for the wild life sanctuaries and national Parks in Goa. While the governmentof Goa is committed to preserve its national heritage, it is also conscious ofthe impact of the buffer corridor around wild life sanctuaries and nationalparks on the economic activity hitherto being pursued and future economic andsocial development needs”
However, even with the one kilometer buffer zone the impactwill be immense. While effectively 12 working mining leases will be closed, thenumber of leases in the area is close to 100. Secondly if one draws a lineacross the one kilometer zone covering mainly the Netravali and Mahdei WildLife sanctuaries.
There are issues beyond mining that can’t be overlooked.There are close to 8000 odd families who live within this area, parts of whichactually come under section 18 of the Wild Life Protection Act where the stategovernment has “declared” its intention to constitute a sanctuary (details inaccompanying story). Their settlements are still pending. Irrespective of howthis issue pans out, all further activity in their lands or even lands outsidethis area will be subject to clearances and scrutinies.
Moreover 4.8 % of total land corresponding to approximately187 square kilometres fall in this area. All economic activity here will besubject to clearances from the National Wild life board.
Sensing the impact, the Goa government has made onesignificant proposal. The letter states, “ More than 30% of the statepopulation in directly or indirectly dependent on mining or alliedactivities… and 25% of the state revenuecomes from mining…. In view of this five to ten years time should be allowed tophase out all non- permitted activities including mining within the bufferzone, subject to erecting wild life and eco-friendly barriers under thesupervision of the Chief wild life warden Goa.
Meanwhile the government has asked for this letter to betreated as comments from the government of Goa and incorporate in the affidaviton buffer zones to be filed by the center.
