Despite clear directives from the High Court instructing the Goa government and police authorities to crack down on illegal river sand mining, the problem continues to plague the region. The illegal sand mining activities resurfaced in the Tiracol river during the Ganesh Chaturthi week, causing great concern among the residents of Ugvem, Porascadem Satose, and Satarda.
This recurring issue has left locals exasperated, with some describing it as a pattern where illegal sand mining gains momentum once the monsoon season subsides.
In an effort to bring this issue to the forefront, the Ugvem Gram Sangharsh Samiti recently sent a letter to authorities, including the Superintendent of Police, Collector (North Goa), and Directorate of Mines and Geology. The letter included a list of individuals and locations involved in sand extraction and storage.
However, the response from the authorities appears to be lacking. The Pernem Police Inspector (PI), Sachin Lokre, stated that they have not received any recent complaints about illegal sand mining. Nevertheless, he assured that police patrolling is being conducted to monitor the situation.
Uday Mahale, one of the complainants from Pernem, expressed frustration over the situation. Despite the High Court's clear instructions, illegal sand extraction in the Tiracol River continues unchecked. He alleged that there is a disturbing level of complicity among various parties, contributing to the protection of these illicit activities.
Uday Mahale, along with other concerned residents, has demanded swift and stringent action against those involved in illegal sand mining and the individuals facilitating these operations. The persistence of this issue highlights the urgency of addressing the environmental and legal concerns surrounding sand mining in the region, as well as the need for robust enforcement of regulations to preserve Goa's natural resources.