Karnataka   

Mandya administration bent on ending illegal sand extraction

MANDYA: The district administration has launched a massive operation to end illegal sand extraction in various parts of Mandya district. A team of officials recently raided villages, including Hiralahalli, Oochanahalli, Murukanahalli, Sindhaghatta and Rayasamudra in Krishnarajapet taluk, where sand was being extracted illegally.

Officials seized motorboats and dredging machines and registered criminal cases against those involved in illegal sand extraction.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Mandya district Puttamadaiah, despite opposition from the local people officials seized 10 motorboats and two dredging machines that were being used to extract sand from the river-bed.

Mr. Puttamadaiah told The Hindu that raids of this nature would continue until illegal sand extraction in the district stopped. Sand extraction from the river beds of the Hemavathi river in Mandya district was damaging the ecology and eroding the riverbanks. The local people and environmentalists fear that the river may change its course if the illegal sand extraction continues.

According to officials of the Department of Mines and Geology, those involved in the illegal activity enjoy political clout and are doing brisk business while the Government is being deprived of revenue.

A visit to Hiralahalli in K.R. Pet taluk in the district reveals the impact of illegal sand extraction.

Hundreds of coconut trees have been uprooted and vast stretches of agricultural land are filled with huge craters. Unaware of the impact of sand extraction, people in various villages in the taluk have mortgaged their cultivable land to those engaged in the business. Senior geologist in the department Ramappa said that of the 31 leases given by the department, the lease period for 23 had ended and that sand extraction was officially allowed in areas under Varanatakallahalli, Belattur, Kudalakuppe and Ambirahalli villages in Hemavathi basin. Admitting that illegal sand extraction was rampant in Selevere hobli, he said that the district administration had taken stringent measures to contain it.

A senior official in the department noted that over 200 lorry-loads of sand were being illegally transported to various parts of the State. Contractors were using dredging machines used in big ports and motorboats to scoop sand from the bottom of the river. Any attempt to stop them would lead to trouble, as they were highly connected, the official added.

Conceding the fact that illegal sand extraction is rampant in the district, Mr. Puttamadaiah said that a task force had been formed to end the “menace”.

He along with Superintendent of Police Koushalyendra Kumar would supervise raids to extend moral support to the officials.

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