The issue of mining in and around wildlife sanctuaries rocked the recently concluded monsoon session of the state assembly.

The draft mineral policy tabled by the state government also advocates mining in 'close vicinity' of wildlife sanctuaries.

Environmentalists have protested against the report. 'We have raised our objections to the report with the state government. The sole purpose of the report is to encourage mining,' said green activist Claude Alvares of Goa Foundation, an environmental monitoring action group.

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has repeatedly alleged that several cabinet ministers in the Congress-led alliance government were involved in illegal mining.

Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar had also alleged that nearly 18 percent of Goa's 33 million tonnes iron, manganese and bauxite mining exports were fed by illegal mining. There are presently more than 100 mining leases in the state.