Udupi sand mining issues carefully being watched over

Udupi sand mining issues carefully being watched over

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, July 2, 2014:   Deputy Commissioner Muddu Mohan informed media  that illegal sand mining is  under control with strict action taken up by the regulatory authority. He added that around Rs 4 to Rs 5 lakh was collected as fine and FIR lodged against those who violated the law.  The DC aded,  he cannot claim illegal sand mining is under control, it is curbed to gteater extent.

The problem can be overcome, once the order for compulsory environment clearance certificate for the quarrying unit was strictly implemented. He said almost all the sand mining activities in the district are manual process.  A separate proposal for sand mining in coastal districts was prepared in 2010 under the leadership of former Minister late Dr V S Acharya.

The officials from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts took part in the meeting. However, the government did not approve the proposal as it was designed exclusively for the coastal districts. The sand mining issue has been posing a huge threat in the district and continues even after the district administration started stringent measures to curb the irregularity further improvement in called for.

District Mines and Geology Department senior geologist Niranjan also stated that attempts are being made to curb illegal sand mining in the district. Following the parliamentary polls, as many as 19 lorries were seized and Rs 4.10 lakh penalty was collected. FIR was also registered in connection with sand mining.

He said 21 illegal quarries were identified and penalized. Rs 6.25 lakh was collected in the form of fine from the illegal quarry owners.

The lorries are released once the sand is unloaded and fines are paid. He said that actions are taken against the lorry owners who engage drivers for illegal sand transport. But most of the times, the owners go missing. Usually, the lorry drivers decline to give information about the places where they have loaded the sand and for whom they are working. They do not provide proper documents also. When they provide the information of the persons who engage them, there is no laxity in serving notices and fine collecting from them, the geologist claimed.

The district administration has sought the help of other departments too to control the illegal sand mining activities. The Forest department, along with police department, Gram Panchayaths, revenue department is set to keep a careful watch on the illegal mining. The RFO level officer in forest department, SI in police department, PDOs in Gram Panchayaths, revenue Inspector in revenue department are entitled to exercise powers to take action against illegal sand mining and careful implimentaion is needed.