The Catholic Church in Goa has expressed concern over excessive mining in the area.

It warns that excessive mining is posing a grave threat to ecologically sensitive areas in the state, which is a popular tourist destination.

Marking World Environment Day on Sunday, the Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP), the social wing of the archdiocese, lamented that mining, deforestation and aggressive promotion of eco-tourism by the state government was eating into Goa's green cover.

The Council's executive director Fr Maverick Fernandes said in a statement that forests in Goa were under severe attack due to mining for iron and manganese ore.

The mining, he said, was of great threat as Goa lies in the centre of the Western Ghats and is home to the some of the best forests in India.

The Church has also expressed concern at the state's forest policy which it believes is in need of "serious overhaul". The Church is calling for the creation of forest buffer zones and a ban on the use of forest land for mining purposes.

"The problems of mining, deforestation, pollution, loss of water resources and wildlife trade constitute the crucial issues to be dealt with while discussing the need of sustainable use of forests," the statement said.

"Eco-tourism is completely against the interests of the forests of Goa in the present scenario,” said Fernandes.

He further noted that the monitoring and regulation of the transportation of forest produce through the forest gates were being overlooked.

On Sunday, various events were held across the country to mark the World Environment Day, carrying the theme, "Forests: Nature at Your Service". This year, the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) selected India as the global host.

Churches in India spread awareness on environmental conservation with special prayers, sermons and intercessions.