Congress now demands 10kms Mining ‘Buffer Zone’

Taking a stand contrary to its earlier stance on the buffer zones around Wildlife Sanctuaries in the state, the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) is to raise a demand with the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to not reduce the buffer zones from the already decided radius of 10kms.

Earlier during the Congress-regime the then Chief Minister Digambar Kamat had put up a proposal with the Centre to bring down the ‘buffer zone’ radius to 2kms. This step was seen to be favoring the pro-mining lobby which caught the ire of the environmentalist fighting against the rampant mining in the state, some which were reportedly taking place around the wildlife sanctuaries and forests.

Speaking on the issue, Deshprabhu stated that the BJP government is doing a U-Turn on the issue of mining. And in order to further the interest of the mining lobby, he will bring the buffer zone radius to less than 2kms. Thereby, benefiting the large mining companies whose mines will be closed if the 10kms ‘buffer zone’ continues to exist.

The stance of the Congress spokesperson on behalf of the Congress has not been welcomed by certain pro-mining leaders in the party. In fact, GoaChronicle.com has learnt that Deshprabhu was called by the GPCC President Subash Shirodkar and reprimanded for taking a stance against the pro-mining lobby.