Despite the ban on the use of machinery while extracting and loading sand, permit holders have rampantly been using machinery while loading sand extracted from rivers in Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ) to trucks in Dakshina Kannada.
As per the guidelines from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), sand could be extracted from only visible sand bars in rivers under CRZ area that are likely to hamper movement of fishing vessels. Extraction could be done only manually and no machinery should be used, the guidelines say.
The District Sand Monitoring Committee has so far cleared about 50 applications for extraction of sand from rivers in CRZ area, including Netravathi, Phalguni (Gurupura) and Nandini, reiterating conditions stipulated by the MoEFCC.
Though no sand bars were visible from the water level that can hamper the movement of fishing vessels, permits have been issued to extract sand from such locations by the Mines and Geology Department.
One such location is the backwaters of Malavoor Vented Dam, constructed across the Phalguni, under the multi-village drinking water scheme.
While sand is being extracted very close to the railway bridge on the Mangaluru-Mumbai line that comes under Southern Railway, extracted sand is dumped next to the twin railway bridges. Earthmovers are being used to load the extracted sand on to trucks here, regretted villagers who did not wish to be identified.
The MoEFCC guidelines also stipulate that permits to extract sand could be given to only those residing on the banks of such rivers and who have traditionally been engaged in sand extraction for many years. The committee too is said to have followed the guidelines and obtained proof for past history of sand extraction before issuing permits.
However, like in the previous years, hundreds of labourers from northern India are being employed to extract sand.
These workers stay in makeshift tents on the river banks. Several gram panchayats, under which sand extraction locations fall, have complained to the district administration that permit holders have not provided toilet facility to workers as a result of which the river banks are getting polluted.
