Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

52 country boats seized in drive against sand-mining

G. Anand

250 families in the area engaged in sand-mining for livelihood

Thiruvananthapuram: The district administration on Saturday raided and seized more than 52 country boats used for illegally extracting river sand at Thrikannapuram on the bank of Karamana river.

The raid also revealed the large-scale ecological devastation caused by unchecked sand-mining in the area. Several acres of the elevated riverbank have been scooped away for the rich sand deposits lying beneath layers of valuable clay.

The illegal mining has altered the natural course of the river and caused water to stagnate in large placid pools. In many areas urban waste, high in plastic and other non-biodegradable material, has been dumped in large quantities for reclaiming the severely eroded riverbank.

Salt water intrusion, lowering of the ground water table, pollution and loss of aquatic life were some of the ecological consequences of the un-controlled mining, said Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) K.V. Mohan Kumar, who coordinated the raid.

The entire area is reportedly under the control of a local mafia that profits from the highly lucrative activity. The mafia has bought vast swathes of the `sand rich' riverbank land from small holders and employed local youth the mining operations. The clay, which is extracted in the process, is used for making bricks in unauthorised kilns.

According to Revenue authorities, around 75 country craft and more than 200 divers were engaged in sand-mining operations in Thrikannapuram alone. The RDO identified Ramesh Kumar alias `Maniyan' as one of the major beneficiaries of the racket. The district administration has named Maniyan as accused in at least three cases registered under the River Sand-Mining Regulation Act. The Revenue authorities are investigating another sand mafia man in the area who has reportedly invested much of his ill-gotten wealth in building flats in the city, Mr. Mohan Kumar said.

A diary seized by the RDO during a previous raid at Thrikannapuram had revealed the huge profits raked in by the sand mafia. The illegally mined sand that costs Rs.3000 at a riverside landing centre is often sold for as high as Rs.6000 in the open market.

The revenue from sand mined in the vicinity of a single ghat is estimated to be more than Rs.30,000 a day. The diary also lists the names of 24 middlemen who profited from the racket. Some of them own riverbank land and charge a toll from lorries arriving at the ghats to transport sand. Illegal sand-mining is the only means of livelihood for more than 250 families in the area. The raid has caused much resentment among the local people. People initially tried to prevent the Revenue authorities from confiscating their boats and mining equipment.

There was a sense of indignation among many residents who alleged that the local police and Revenue officials were on the payrolls of the sand mafia. "This Onam, my employer paid Rs. 10,000 to the local police and Revenue authorities (at a single ghat). But still they are harassing us," a sand miner said.

Former Thrikannapuram municipal councillor T.V. Jayamohan, said Government action against sand-mining would deprive local people of their means to livelihood. The residents, who seemed not to be much convinced about the ecological impact of unchecked sand-mining, said they were doing a `service to society' by ensuring a steady supply of river sand at affordable rates to the public.

District Collector N. Ayyappan led the surprise raid that commenced at 5.30 a.m. The authorities had brought veteran rowers and divers from Pathanamthitta district to seize the mining equipment and secure the boats.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

52 country boats seized in drive against sand-mining
International Coastal Clean-up Day observed
Assembly session begins tomorrow
Rights panel member visits Technopark
Speaker considering curbs on visual media
Clarification on change of Chief Secretary
Land to be handed over for afforestation
Four held on charges of robbery
Around the City
In Thiruvananthapuram Today
Campus Notes

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu