Udupi: Expressing unhappiness over the failure of the district administration in stopping illegal sand mining despite the National Green Tribunal’s stay order, environmentalist Shashidhar Shetty has rushed a letter to NGT chairperson.
“The OA NO 111/2016 filed by villagers of Udupi district complaining of illegal sand mining in the CRZ rivers in the district, was admitted before NGT- Chennai bench and the tribunal has restrained all concerned from extracting sand from rivers (CRZ) in the district with its order dated May 17, 2016,” he stated in a letter.
“Unfortunately, unscrupulous elements are carrying out illegal sand mining by ignoring the order of in places like Haattikudru, Hattiyangadi, aangalli, Tallur, Herikudru, Hakladi, Baikoor, Nadaguddeyangadi, Hainadu, Shankarnarayana, Jammunadi, Molahalli, Gulvadi and Sabladi,” he said. “Inspite of the villagers complaining about the continuance of illegal sand mining in the CRZ Rivers of Udupi district ignoring the ban, Udupi district administration has not taken any action to stop the illegal acts. In view of these disturbing facts, we urge your kind self to direct the authorities to stop sand mining in the CRZ rivers of Udupi district and save the environment,” he stated.
Shashidhar Shetty told DC that illegal sand mining is continuing without any fear and officials were blind to this. “Even if the violation of the tribunal order is brought to the notice of the officials, they fail to take action,” he alleged.
