The Hindu : Karnataka News : Sand quarrying thriving despite ban

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Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Sand quarrying thriving despite ban

K.V. Subramanya

‘Sand mafia’ has been carrying out its activities during night

— Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

FOR A FAST BUCK: A file photo of sand mining in a southern district of the State.

CHICKBALLAPUR: Despite the ban imposed on sand quarrying in the drought-prone Chickballapur and Kolar districts, it is thriving in the catchment areas of the North Pinakini and the Kumudvathi in Gaurbidanur taluk of Chickballapur district. And, it is severely affecting the environment, agriculture and irrigation of the region.

In view of the ban and members of the legislature raising serious concern over sand quarrying in Gauribidanur taluk, the district administration had taken steps to stop illegal mining.

However, the “sand mafia” has been hoodwinking the authorities by carrying out quarrying and transporting sand at night. Even on Monday, four trucks transporting sand were seized by the local police.

According to members of the Pinakini Nadhi Jalanayana Parisara Samrakshana Vedike, who are fighting against the sand quarrying for nearly six years, 150 lorry loads of sand is transported from Gauribidanur taluk to Bangalore daily.

Vedike convener and green activist D.A. Chowdappa told The Hindu that sand quarrying was taking place on government land and on private agricultural land at Kalludi, Alkapura, Hanumenahalli, Mudugere and Pothenahalli villages.

In some of these villages, nearly 50-ft-deep trenches have been created by sand miners.

According to Mr. Chowdappa, an engineer, the authorities have taken a “soft stand” towards illegal mining as some influential local politicians and leading transporters are involved in the trade.

A senior lecturer from AES National College, Gauribidanur, on the condition of anonymity, alleged that some senior police officials were hand-in-glove with the sand mafia.

However, Chickballapur Deputy Commissioner Subodh Yadav said that sand mining in the district was under check after enforcement was intensified subsequent to a meeting of the police and revenue officials a few months ago. Some stray instances could have been reported and steps would be taken to stop sand mining completely, he said.

According to the Gauribidanur Circle Inspector of Police Sreenivasa Murthy, 60 cases have been registered against sand miners and transporters in the past five months.

The large scale sand mining has not only further depleted the groundwater table in the taluk but also caused severe damage to minor dams and feeder canals constructed across the North Pinakini and the Kumudvathi at Maralur, Varavani, Ganagasandra and Vidurashwathha.

According to official estimates, the taluk with 216 villages has 18,000 irrigation wells and a large number of minor irrigation tanks in addition to 14,000 borewells that were sunk in the past 25 years.

As much as 75 per cent of these water sources have gone dry since sand mining started in the taluk in a big way, a decade ago.

It is said that even if the North Pinakini and the Kumudwathi flow once in three years, there would be sufficient water in the wells in the region for a couple of years. Further, the groundwater table in the region can go up as the sands of the North Pinakini and the Kumduvathi have percolation, purification and preservation qualities.

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