Panaji, Apr 22 (IANS): Goa has to restart its mining industry at the earliest in order to survive the jolt caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Governor Satya Pal Malik said on Wednesday.

Following a meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and top officials at the Raj Bhavan, where Malik took stock of the economy of the state, the Governor said that while Goa had been declared Covid-free, the state still needed to be on the alert against "the unseen enemy".

"Mining activity should be restarted as early as possible. Mining activities have halted since 2018 after the Supreme Court quashed 88 mining leases. The government has to fast-track the proposal before the Central government for resumption of mining leases by way of legislative cure in the form of amendment to the mining laws, so as to get extension for leases up to 2037," Malik said.

The Governor also expressed concern about the severe impact of the viral pandemic on the tourism industry in Goa, which is considered as one of the mainstays of the local economy.

"The government should also focus on the tourism industry by reinventing its identity as a prime tourist destination for rich culture, heritage, architecture and culinary aspects," Malik said.

"Tourism should be promoted through proactive marketing and the state should try to attract high-end tourists by developing high-end services such as floatel, golf course, yacht and marina through private sector participation," he said, adding that the state should be promoted as one of the safest tourism destinations in the country.