NEW DELHI: Pointing out the adverse impact of mining on livelihood of locals and the ecology, the National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA) has quashed the clearance given to the Careamol iron mine in South Goa.

The project was granted environment clearance in 2007, but it was stayed by the NEAA after a local group, ‘Gomantak Shetakari Sanghatan’ contested that the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Environment Ministry had given its approval by overlooking rules and regulations. The allegations were, however, rejected by the project proponent which claimed that it followed all requisite norms.
In June, the Authority member, Mr J C Kala visited the site in Pirla village and after speaking to locals concluded that the ministry had failed to take into account the adverse impact due to mining on livelihood, the rivers and streams which adjoins the mining lease area and long-term impact on the ecology.
Based on his observation, the Authority also noted that the ministry, by not taking a prior clearance under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, had gone against the order of the Supreme Court.
“The correct procedure was not followed during the public hearing as the panel framed the minutes of the meeting almost six weeks later instead of reading out the minutes to the audience of the public hearing,” the order issued on July 12 said.
Rejecting the clearance, the Authority said in the order that it came to the conclusion that the EAC has failed to appreciate the vital impact of mining on the livelihood of the people of the area and the long term impacts on the ecology and environment.
The NEAA also observed that the mitigative steps and the safeguards proposed can hardly take care or compensate the damage mining would cause to the area in the short and long term, said Supreme Court lawyer, Mr Ritwick Dutta on behalf of the petitioners.
The Authority was also of the opinion “that the contribution of this inferior iron ore to the state’s exchequer does not call for striking a balance between development and environment protection of the area,” said Mr Dutta.