'Let moratorium on mining in Western Ghats continue' (ToI)

'Let moratorium on mining in Western Ghats continue' TNN | Aug 5, 2013, 12.41 AM IST PANAJI: The moratorium on mining in the Western Ghat areas should continue till a proper cumulative assessment of the damage to ecology and people affected by mining is drawn up, M K Prasad, of the people's convention on Western Ghats, said. A day-long convention organized in the city resolved to urge the central government to adopt the Western Ghats ecology experts panel (WGEEP) report submitted by Madhav Gadgil and others and reject the parallel effort of Kasturirangan. The illegalities of the mining sector and the damage caused by activities in the ecologically fragile areas figured in the discussion. "The loss of biodiversity, impact on the people's health, damage to rivers and related issues should be assessed," Prasad said. The WGEEP report suggested an indefinite moratorium in the state on new environmental clearances for mining in ESZ 1 and 2, phasing out of mining in ESZ 1 by 2016 and continuation of existing mining in ESZ 2 under strict regulation with an effective system of social audit. Further, the moratorium on new clearances in ESZ 2 can be revisited only when the situation improves and a comprehensive study on the impact of mining on the ecology, environment, human health, and biodiversity by a competent multidisciplinary team is completed, the report had stated. Environmentalists Claude Alvares said the Goa government has categorized mining as a red category industry and questioned why the WGEEP panel report was being opposed. Rajendra Kakodkar, a social activist, said mining constituted the biggest threat to the Western Ghats. All mining operations were controlled by private enterprise and some of them were reaping windfall profits disproportionately from the quantum of investments made by them. They should be taxed to pay for rehabilitation of people affected by mining activities, he added. Prasad said that the convention resolved to launch a campaign for conservation and protection of the Western Ghats, as the severe impact of human intervention due to mining, construction of roads, spreading settlements has caused havoc to the ecology. The convention attended by delegates from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharasthra, Karnataka, Goa and Gujarat, discussed strategies to engage and empower people in these six states about the threats to the global biodiversity hot spot . Meetings will be organized in all the six states to exert pressure on the governments to adopt the WGEEP report. Gram sabhas in panchayats along the Western Ghats will be asked to pass resolutions in support of WGEEP report. The committee will also translate the 520-page WGEEP report in vernacular languages to make it accessible to more stakeholders and mobilize support for the implementation of the report. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Let-moratorium-on-mining-in-Western-Ghats-continue/articleshow/21608048.cms