Mining Threatens Goa’s Water Systems, Says Activist Ramesh Gauns at MOG Sunday Talk
~ Wells run dry, rivers turn toxic and regulation fails as unchecked mining ore extraction reshapes the state’s ecology, Gauns said.
~ Environmental impact assessments are far from facts, Gauns claimed, calling mining regulation inadequate.
Pilerne April 2026: Mining in Goa is severely damaging natural water systems across the state, drying wells, contaminating rivers and disrupting fragile ecological networks, warned environmental activist Ramesh Gauns during a recent talk at the Museum of Goa on Sunday.
Gauns, whose name is synonymous with a range of environment-related agitations in the state, was critical of environmental governance frameworks, particularly the quality of impact assessments, accusing such reports of indulging in fakery.
Drawing on years of field observations and data, Gauns, a veteran activist, said during his MOG Sunday talk that mining activity in catchment areas has led to widespread depletion of groundwater. “(As many as) 100 streams have gone bad and 60 wells have gone dry,” he said, pointing to villages where water sources that once sustained communities have disappeared. In some areas, he added, up to as many as 80 wells have completely dried up.
Rivers, too, are under stress, Gauns said, describing how mining waste and silt are entering water bodies, altering their quality and flow. In several locations, water has taken on a visible colour and metallic taste, contradicting its natural properties. He cited figures showing large volumes of mining discharge entering rivers daily, raising concerns about long-term environmental and health impacts.
Gauns also questioned regulatory oversight, noting that mining often continues in close proximity to rivers despite legal safeguards. “No mines in water bodies is clearly stated, but it is not followed,” he said, adding that environmental impact assessments frequently fail to capture the cumulative damage caused by clustered mining operations.
The consequences extend beyond ecology, he argued, linking water degradation to public health issues and future scarcity. With tourism placing additional pressure on resources, Gauns warned that the state’s water security is at risk. “We are challenging the very definition of water,” he said, referring to contamination levels in some areas.
In the course of his interaction following his MOG Sunday talk, Gauns traced his engagement with environmental issues to grassroots interventions, including efforts to prevent mining in areas where he worked. Rather than identifying as an activist, he described his work as a civic responsibility. “I am just doing my duties under the Constitution,” he said, highlighting his use of legal tools such as RTIs and petitions.
Reflecting on regions like Canacona, he pointed to their ecological and cultural sensitivity, noting that rapid development and tourism are beginning to alter their character. Large-scale projects and rising land values, he said, are reshaping local landscapes in ways similar to other parts of Goa.
Gauns was critical of environmental governance frameworks, particularly the quality of impact assessments. He argued that lengthy reports often obscure key issues rather than clarify them.
Despite decades of work, he acknowledged limited public engagement in earlier years, with communities often prioritising economic benefits over environmental concerns. However, he stressed the need for greater awareness among younger generations, urging them to engage with issues that directly affect Goa’s future.
“We need to answer our future generations,” Gauns said, questioning whether sustainable mining in Goa is achievable or merely an “eyewash.”
Photo caption : Well-known Goan activist Ramesh Gauns at the Museum of Goa, Pilerne, ahead of his recent MOG Sunday talk.
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