Goa government is protecting illegal mining, says Church

The Church in Goa has accused the Congress-led government in the state of protecting illegal mining activity.

In a message to the parishioners on the eve of Social Apostolate Day, two wings of the Church, Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP) and Caritas, today said the inability to stop illegal mining reflects poorly on quality of governance in the coastal state.

"Should not the government have taken immediate steps to stop illicit mining activities? If this is not bad Governance, what else is? Goans, awaken and together save our hills, our forests, the `aam admi' of those areas and rest of us!" read the message titled `Environmental Value of Biodiversity - a Common Responsibility'.

CSJP executive secretary Maverick Fernandes and Caritas director Valerino Vaz have prepared the message.

"Illegal mining of iron ore is rapidly destroying Goa. But politicians are blind to the reality that traditional occupations are ceasing to exist."

"Statements by politicians, that this industry provides jobs to a large number of people and hence must be permitted to prosper, reveal how little those in power are concerned about the environmental destruction and pollution, the message said.

According to the government figures, 18% of mining exports from Goa are illegal.