PANJIM: If one can presume a combination of arrogance and patronage enjoyed by mine owners in their operations, the almost 139 mining rejects dumps lying on forest land, majority of which belong to large mining firms, are a glaring indication.

In a written reply on the floor of the House, Forest Minister Alina Saldanha said that total 139 mining dumps are on forest land, of which 95 are in South Goa and 44 in the North. A total of 37 dumps are on government land.