Goa chief secretary Sanjay Srivastava on Saturday said that the state needs to think of alternatives for mining industry which may not sustain after 10-20 years.
"Mining industry is doing well in the state but after ten to twenty years we need to look at alternatives that would replace this industry," Mr Srivastava told a gathering of intellectuals hereon Saturday.
He said that Goa needs to replace mining with environment friendly industries with huge employment potential.
Mr Srivastava was addressing a function organized by Sakal media group on vision document for Goa on the eve of state’s liberation day.
Goa law commission chairman Ramakant Khalap, former President of Goa chamber of commerce and industries Nitin Cuncolienkar, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa President Gaurish Dhond and others were present for the function.
The chief secretary said that Goa has all the elements that make it an ideal state.
"We have communal harmony, educational growth and industries like tourism and mining are growing but we need to think of what will happen after a decade," he added.
Goa exports around 40 million tones of iron ore through its 100-odd leases operational in the state.
Mr Srivastava said the state should look at information technology and software industries as a possible source of employment for the youths.
"We have lot of youths who migrate to other states in search of employment. Once they are employed there, they don’t come back, we need to change this scene," he said.
The chief secretary said the race for employment has left many elderly people lonely in the state, which can be changed if employment opportunities are generated in the state itself.