No mining will be allowed in the Sahyadri hill ranges

Goa chief minister Digamber Kamat today assured the state legislative assembly that no mining would be allowed in the eco-sensitive Sahyadri hill ranges. "We will see that there is no mining activity in the belt of western ghats," Kamat told the state legislative assembly today.
       
The assurance from the chief minister came after the leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar contended that the state government is not doing enough to stop mining in the ecologically sensitive places like wildlife sanctuaries.
      
Parrikar during his brief speech pointed out that a report by high-level committee had conceded that the mining was going on near the wildlife sanctuaries. Responding to the statements, Kamat said that the state government has empowered the high level committee to stop the illegal mines on the spot.
      
"I have told them that if they find any mines operating illegally, they can stop them on the spot," he said. He assured the house that the government will act against the offenders involved in illegal mining. The state government is working on a mining policy, which is being inked with proper suggestions and objections invited from the people and stake holders, he said.
       
The chief minister said that during last four years the demand for low grade iron ore from the state has increased manifold due to booming China market. The state government has been under constant criticism from the opposition benches, during the ongoing state legislative assembly session.