1. This original application is registered on the basis of news item titled "Illegal sand mining continues unabated on Goan riverbeds" appearing in ‘O Herald’ dated 30.12.2023. As per the said news item, the illegal sand mining is going on in Tiracol River and that when the monsoon ends, the sand mafia enters and start doing sand mining and inspite of complaints, the problem has not been solved.
2. Mr. Kedar Naik, Additional Collector-I, North Goa has appeared through virtual mode and has informed that this very issue is pending consideration before the High Court of Bombay in PIL (WP) No. 14/2018 in the matter of The Goa River Sand Protectors Network vs. Shri Parimal Rai and Ors. He has further stated that State has submitted a detailed action plan for stopping the illegal mining in Goa River and the said action plan has been considered by the High Court on 29.01.2024 and the matter has now been posted for further consideration on 18.03.2024.
3. Since the High Court of Bombay is already considering this issue, therefore, we do not deem it proper to proceed further in the matter to avoid parallel proceedings.
4. In view of the above, OA is disposed of.
