The illegal extraction and transportation of sand is thriving in the district owing to the failure of the government to streamline its distribution in a proper manner.
According to information provided by the Department of Police, a total of 191 cases related to illegal extraction and transportation of sand were booked in the district in 2016 and 437 persons were arrested in this connection. The police have seized sand worth ₹29 lakh and 210 vehicles used for the purpose during this period. In 2017, 28 cases related to illegal extraction and transportation of sand has been booked so far, resulting in arrest of 68 persons. Sand worth ₹1.01 crore and 112 vehicles have been seized in these cases.
46 ESAs
Of the 96 sand mining blocks identified in the district, sand cannot be extracted in 46 blocks as they fall under Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA), as per the recommendations of K. Kasturirangan panel on the conservation of Western Ghats.
As the water level of rivers in the district has not been at expected levels for the past two years owing to the scarcity of rain, sand deposits in 16 blocks – where permission for mining was granted – was much lesser than the estimation. Also, the available deposit was said to be of poor quality.
The scarcity of sand had forced the Public Works Department (PWD) that was assigned the responsibility of distribution of sand, to adopt a rationing policy for allotment in 2016.
Ashok Yadav, secretary, Anna Hazarae Horata Vedike, a civil society organisation, told The Hindu that apart from the drought and regulations related to ESA, the government has failed to put a proper mechanism for distribution of sand in place.
These factors have paved the way for the illegal sand business to thrive in the district. One truckload of sand of 6 cubic feet allotted by PWD has been priced at ₹11,000. Owing to the scarcity, the customers are buying it illegally and paying as much as ₹35,000 for a truckload.
Long wait
Mr. Yadav said that of the 40 blocks through which sand can be extracted and distributed, allocation has commenced only in three blocks though the water level receded in the rivers in the last week of October. To get sand from blocks recognised by the government, those who plan to construct buildings have to wait for at least two months after submitting their applications, he said.
According to sources in Department of Mines and Geology, the tender process related to extracting sand in nine more blocks has been completed and distribution would commence shortly. The department has already floated tenders in the second phase for extracting sand in 27 more blocks. The commencement of allocation of sand in these blocks is likely to ease the crises.
