Goa CM seeks reopening of 153 iron ore leases in Western Ghats zone

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has pitched for restarting 153 iron ore mining leases in ecologically sensitive Western Ghats areas. He also asked the Union environment ministry for a workable path on compensatory afforestation, citing scarce land in the state. The request revives a long-running debate over mining revival versus environmental safeguards.