Kerala - Pathanamthitta   

Sand-smuggling from Pampa continues unabated

Staff Reporter

THREAT: A worker engaged in mining sand from the close vicinity of the well foundation of Kozhencherry Bridge on the Pampa at Maramon near Kozhencherry on Thursday.

PATHANAMTHITTA: Illegal sand collection from the Pampa acquired a new dimension with the so-called `sand mafia' engaging individual workers for quarrying sand in small quantities from different parts of the riverbed and to smuggle it in plastic bags to different destinations, later.

Individual workers engaged in collecting sand at various places along the course of the river have become a common scene, especially in Ranni and Thiruvalla taluks.

Indiscriminate sand collection from the close vicinity of the well foundation of the Kozhencherry Bridge on Pampa is also rampant.

The workers collect sand in small quantities, pack it in plastic bags and transport it in jeeps and small pick-up vans.

There were allegations of negligence on the part of the authorities towards ensuring protection of even the historic sand beds of Maramon and Cherukolpuzha on the Pampa.

A study conducted by the Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS) showed that rampant sand collection from the river had already lowered the riverbed even below the mean sea level at certain points.

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