Bengaluru: The sand mafia that is controlling the sand distribution in Karnataka needs to be leashed before the minor mineral sand deposits run out. The social and environmental activists in the state are now demanding the introduction of a Sand Policy to control the illegal extraction of sand.
At least four rivers around Bengaluru, which have been “declared dead” are apparently alive and kicking with sand deposits ready and waiting for the diggers. Every night the sand-diggers pitch their machinery on the wide banks of Arkavathy (near T J Halli and Kanakpura), Vrsuhabhavathi (near Bhairamangala lake in Bidadi), Antargange in Kolar, where the sand is extracted without any supervision.
The number of agricultural lands in Ramanagara and Kanakpura have today turned into sand-digging pits. The estuaries of Kali, Sharavathi and Aghanashini are mined by heavy machineries to meet the ever-increasing demand for sand. The Tiger Reserves in the state too are not spared by the sand diggers and in a shocking trend the forest officials themselves are mining the sand from river beds for the construction of their offices.
Political backing
The illegalities of sand mining do not end here. From here the sand deposits are handed over to the mafia, which controls the extraction, location of sand digging, creating artificial demand for sand, transportation and smuggling outside the state too. The mafia is undoubtedly backed by the political leaders.
The environmental activists claim that the “systematic booking” of various enforcement agencies by the sand mafia is the major reason why the sand mining is illegally done right under the noses of government officials. According to the activists, the sand is mined even from the road side. The mud extracted from the agricultural fields is filtered and sold as filtered sand in the market.
The activists point out that at least 30-40% of the sand that is transported to Kerala state illegally, comes from Mysuru and T Narasipura areas. The miners are fast extracting the natural sand from rivers like Cauvery and Kabini, which is being transported to Kerala.
There are strict regulations existing in Kerala on sand mining and with the recent construction boom in the coastal state, there has been a widespread demand for the sand. The inter-state transportation of sand has been banned in the country, but the mafia ensures that truck loads of sand are passed without questions asked through the multiple check-posts located on the Karnataka-Kerala border.
Former Lokayukta, Justice N Santosh Hegde, is not surprised over the commotion about sand mafia post the death of IAS officer D K Ravi. “The sand mining and transportation is one of most unorganised sectors and has already gone beyond repair. I have been insisting on drafting a dedicated policy for sand mining and transportation in Karnataka. This will help bring in transparency, reduce the illegal extraction of sand. The supply of low-quality sand can be controlled. It’s time that the state government implemented the policy at the earliest,” Justice Hegde said.
