PANJIM: The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests told the Supreme Court that “it had no choice” but to consider the area within 10 km of all national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Goa, as ecologically sensitive zones, thus bringing a majority of mining leases in the State within the zone.

In an affidavit filed in the SC, the MoEF argues that they have been forced by the non-cooperative attitude of the State government despite it pursuing the matter, and wants the Apex court to ask the government to comply.