Special Correspondent

Panaji, Apr 16: Goa’s one of the oldest mining firm, Chowgule & Company faced a set back today when state government asked to close the operations on its mining site at Gawanem, which was reportedly violating all the environmental norms.

The mine located in Sattari taluka, situated 60 kms North East of Panaji, was reportedly operational partly in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and also in the government owned land. State Mines and Geology department’s order came today after villagers protested at their office in Panaji.

The stop work order issued by mines director Arvind Lolienkar reads that the company does not have consent under Water and Air pollution act. The mine also did not had clearance under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

“The mine will not be allowed to be started till they provide the required permissions,” mines department officials said.

The local villagers had launched relentless battle against the mine, whose trucks had ravaged the village. Around 1,300 tonnes of ore was extracted from this site.

Janaseva Pratisthan, a body of locals, which had taken up the cause, in their petition before the state government had said that part of the mine falls within Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and also just 500
metres away from Ambeli rivulet.

They had claimed that the air consent for the mine had expired on December 31, 2009 while water consent had ceased from July 31, 2010.

After consistent memorandums from the locals, the state mines department had commissioned its team at the site to give the `factual report.’

The team had resolved that the mining activity was happening within the wildlife sanctuary and also in the government owned land, which is not permissible.