Baba Ramdev’s Trust crusades against Goa illegal mining

A civil society organization supported by Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev, Bharat Swabhiman Trust (BST), has demanded that illegal mining in Goa be stopped to save the state from a Japan-like crisis.

?The continuous mining activity has almost destroyed Goa?s ecosystem. The day is not far off when Goa will suffer a Japan-like crisis,? anti-mining activist Ranu Prabhudesai told reporters on Monday.

Ahead of Baba Ramdev?s public meeting on Mar 25 in Panaji, the anti-mining activists have joined hands with BST to support the cause.

BST?s North Goa Chief Bhartesh Ghullanawar lamented that more than one-lakh mining leases are operational across India as against permission for only 200 mining leases.

?Unleashing mining activity has worsened the normal life of the people and has affected the environment,? he said.

Another anti-mining activist Dattaram Desai said that they are opposing the mushrooming illegal and irrational mining activities to which government is turning a blind eye.

Around 430 mining leases have been reportedly granted by the state government covering 8.5 percent of the total area of the state.

Desai, who earlier headed massive agitation against Thapar-DuPont Limited?s Nylon 6-6 project said that even legal mines should be regulated.

?The mining activity in Goa has increased tremendously over the last five years?18 percent of the iron ore from Goa is illegal. Baba Ramdev?s campaign against corruption is all inclusive and even corruption including mining,? he said.

The activists also allege that some mines which were abandoned 57 years ago are being revived without proper clearances.

Most of these mines are concentrated in landlocked areas in the hinterland. The highland area that stretches across 1,600 kilometres is rich in biological diversity and covers the states of Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.