Mangaluru: Elected representatives have called for a complete ban on sand extraction near Pavoor-Uliya, a small island located about 12km from Mangaluru and home to 52 families. At the Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meeting chaired by District Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday, MLC Ivan D’Souza highlighted the issue of unauthorized sand extraction, which has left island residents in fear and uncertainty.
D’Souza noted that the families have been fighting to protect their home from illegal sand mining. MLA D Vedavyas Kamath insisted that the illegal extraction near the island must be stopped immediately, emphasizing that extracting sand from Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ) is illegal. He suggested that the district administration provide sand for construction purposes from lawful sources.
Minister Rao acknowledged receiving complaints about illegal sand trade near the island and expressed concern that the island might shrink due to this unauthorized activity. He directed officials from the mines and geology and police departments to curb illegal sand extraction in and around the island.
Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan MP assured that the district has sufficient sand stock from non-CRZ areas. The Karnataka State Coastal Zone Management Authority (KSCZMA) has given CRZ clearance to remove eight sand blocks that pose a hazard to fishing and other boats. This clearance is contingent on following the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order of 2017 and Supreme Court guidelines.
Additionally, the secretary of ecology and environment has instructed the mines and geology department in Dakshina Kannada to await central government guidelines, as informed by officials from the department.