Panaji, August 2025 — Environmentalists Claude Alvares and Rahul Basu have raised serious concerns regarding the classification of new mining lease areas in Bicholim as “greenfield” projects. Speaking at a session titled ‘Mining: The New Regime’ during MOG Sunday at the Museum of Goa, the duo emphasized that this mislabeling undermines decades of historical degradation and could misguide restoration efforts and environmental clearances.
The term greenfield project is typically reserved for initiatives on untouched land, whereas brownfield sites have pre-existing infrastructure or prior use. According to the speakers, the mining sites in question were previously exploited under colonial and post-colonial leases, which means they should legally be treated as brownfield. This has implications for how Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) are carried out and how restoration responsibilities are assigned.
“If today’s degraded land is the starting point, in 50 years we’ll be restoring the land back to its already damaged state,” said Basu.
Claude Alvares emphasized a low-cost, high-impact reforestation strategy adopted by the Goa Foundation in collaboration with the forest department—using grass over trees in degraded areas. This method has proven to be faster and more economical for ecosystem recovery.
Another pressing issue highlighted was the misuse of the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds, meant specifically for mining-affected people. Basu noted that during the pandemic, these funds were diverted and stressed the urgent need to redirect them for their intended purpose.
The environmentalists also expressed concern about the weakening of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), citing a shortage of technical experts on its panels. “Without scientific experts, legal remedies for ecological damages are at risk,” Alvares noted.
Despite the concerns, both activists acknowledged several positive reforms in the new mining framework:
- A 1-kilometre no-mining buffer zone around wildlife sanctuaries
- Protection of 154 mining leases in eco-sensitive Western Ghats
- An annual 20 million tonne cap on ore extraction in Goa
- Increased public revenue: Rs 87,000 crore expected from auctions
As Goa gears up for the relaunch of its mining sector, the debate between development and sustainability is once again in sharp focus. Alvares and Basu’s presentation served as a powerful reminder that transparency, ecological responsibility, and community welfare must remain at the heart of any mining policy.
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