After a special report by NDTV, illegal mining has been stopped at the Kappad beach of Kerala.
Coastal Management officials have now stopped sand miners from taking away sand on the coast after NDTV exposed how illegal mining took place in the early hours of the morning.
Action will now be taken against those responsible for illegal mining.
NDTV had reported that 600 tonnes of sand was illegally mined every year in Kerala.
NDTV had reported that Kerala is being robbed off its biggest asset every day and shockingly it goes unnoticed. Officials pretend to be unaware of the illegal mining done on the sandy beaches of God's own country.
In a complete violation of the CRZ rule which says mining is not allowed within 500 meters of the coast, many men can be seen digging away heaps of sand in 16 catamarans right at the point where the waves kiss the coast. Overnight, at least 30 trucks of sand is taken away. This has been happening everyday, over the last 6 years. The miners have threatened locals against approaching the officials.
NDTV had filed a complaint at the office of the chairman of Kerala coastal zone management.
Black sand rich in minerals like Illmenite and Thorium is found in many parts of the south west coast. It is fine and clear of stones and clay, so saves miners the cost of cleaning before construction.
An estimated 600 tonnes of sand is mined illegally every year from Kerala's coast and smuggled to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for construction. This could erode the sea to a great extent damaging the coastal system.
The cost of sand from 450 rupees a ton 10 years ago, is today anywhere between Rs 15000 to 20000 a ton. Sand audits show a grim picture and though there are stringent norms for sand mining, the business of illegal mining flourishes thanks to the nexus with some politicians. No one makes a sound, except the waves.
Coastal Management officials have now stopped sand miners from taking away sand on the coast after NDTV exposed how illegal mining took place in the early hours of the morning.
Action will now be taken against those responsible for illegal mining.
NDTV had reported that 600 tonnes of sand was illegally mined every year in Kerala.
NDTV had reported that Kerala is being robbed off its biggest asset every day and shockingly it goes unnoticed. Officials pretend to be unaware of the illegal mining done on the sandy beaches of God's own country.
In a complete violation of the CRZ rule which says mining is not allowed within 500 meters of the coast, many men can be seen digging away heaps of sand in 16 catamarans right at the point where the waves kiss the coast. Overnight, at least 30 trucks of sand is taken away. This has been happening everyday, over the last 6 years. The miners have threatened locals against approaching the officials.
NDTV had filed a complaint at the office of the chairman of Kerala coastal zone management.
Black sand rich in minerals like Illmenite and Thorium is found in many parts of the south west coast. It is fine and clear of stones and clay, so saves miners the cost of cleaning before construction.
An estimated 600 tonnes of sand is mined illegally every year from Kerala's coast and smuggled to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for construction. This could erode the sea to a great extent damaging the coastal system.
The cost of sand from 450 rupees a ton 10 years ago, is today anywhere between Rs 15000 to 20000 a ton. Sand audits show a grim picture and though there are stringent norms for sand mining, the business of illegal mining flourishes thanks to the nexus with some politicians. No one makes a sound, except the waves.
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