Goa govt caps sand extraction limit for licence holders

The extraction limit has been capped to 1,400 cubic metres per permit (licence) holder in the state

Goa government has put in place several measures to control sand mining in the state, including capping the extraction to 1,400 cubic metres per licence holder while banning the sand tapping on river banks.

The state Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has capped the extraction limit to 1,400 cubic metres per permit (licence) holder in the state.

About 597 applications from North Goa and 18 from South Goa are pending before both the district administrations for approval, DMG Director Prasanna Acharya said.

Sand mining only through traditional means is allowed in the state following an earlier order by the National Green Tribunal which stopped all mechanical tapping methods.

Acharya said 30 sites were identified for sand extraction where scientific tapping was allowed.

Among the sites include four in Dharbandora, three each in Salcete and Sanguem, and two in Quepem. The rest are at Amona in Mandovi, Camurlim and Colvale in Colvale river, Keri and Ugvem in Tiracol, among sites in North Goa.

Stringent guidelines are in place to control the sand mining, which also includes ban on the activity from 6 p.m to 6 a.m, he said.

The directorate has already said that a permit holder will not be able to extract more than six cubic metres of sand per day.

The government has also decided to install Global Positioning System (GPS) on trucks carrying the sand.

Also, there is complete ban on sand mining during the monsoon season - from June 1 to September 30 - annually, the director said.