Govt to re-tender sand mining impact assessment study (NT)

Published on: October 23, 2013 - 00:49 PANAJI: The government has decided to float again the tender for Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment Study (REIAS) necessary for sand mining. The re-tendering notice by the department of science technology and environment was issued on October 15 and the last date for submission of fresh bids is October 29, 2013. Sources in Goa State Pollution Control Board said that re-tendering was necessary because previously only one agency had submitted a bid leaving little choice in the selection. The fresh tendering process, sources added would hopefully get a better response this time. In the first tender, Hyderabad based Bhagwati Ana Labs was the sole agency that showed interest in conducting the study. The REIAS is a GIS survey through satellite imageries and study of eco sensitive zones, fish migratory and breeding grounds along the river stretches proposed for carrying out sand mining. It is mandated by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) before it gives environment clearance for sand mining permits. Sources said that the REIAS is being conducted for the first time in Goa and it would take about three months for the study to be completed after tender process is complete. Further even other states have not carried out such a study before as it is a new condition laid down by the NGT, the source added. On August 5 the tribunal banned all sand mining in the country without environment clearance from the MOEF or the SEIAA. Unfortunately in Goa the SEIAA needs to be reconstituted a process which is taking time. Meanwhile the government has filed an affidavit before the NGT to exempt it from the country wide ban for a period of one year. The case before the NGT comes up on November 1. Recently Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was critical of the NGT order banning sand mining and termed it as “judicial over-reach.” The Chief Minster said that some judgments are difficult to implement and often lead to serious problems for the people. The ban on sand mining in Goa has resulted in construction activity coming to a grinding halt and it is also threatening the stoppage of infrastructure projects. http://www.navhindtimes.in/goa-news/govt-re-tender-sand-mining-impact-assessment-study