Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Mar 18: In an effort to tackle illegal sand mining in the Mangaluru subdivision, Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner (DC) Mullai Muhilan has issued an order to establish a task force to curb unauthorized sand extraction and transportation effectively.
The task force will be responsible for preventing illegal sand mining operations that take place primarily during the night in violation of government regulations. The decision follows numerous complaints from the public regarding unauthorized sand excavation, stockpiling, and transportation.
Taking into account the geological and administrative background of the Dakshina Kannada district, the government has implemented the New Sand Policy-2020 to ensure regulated and affordable sand availability for public and government construction projects without causing environmental damage. According to the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1994 (31R and 31ZL), sand mining in coastal districts is permitted through auctioning, with the district committee granting annual approvals for sand extraction.
To curb illegal sand mining and transportation in various regions, different committees have been assigned responsibilities:
Adyar-Muloor to Gurupur Bridge region
Nodal Officer: Amar Nath Jain, Executive Engineer, Public Works Department (PWD), Mangaluru
Members: Girish Mohan (Geologist, Mines and Geology Department), Sandeep GS (Inspector, Bajpe Police Station), Poornachandra Tejasvi (Revenue Inspector, Gurupur Hobli), Preetham (Assistant Executive Engineer, PWD), and Rajesh Baligar (Range Forest Officer).
Gurupur Bridge to Adyapadi region
Nodal Officer: Syed Athiq, Executive Engineer, Minor Irrigation Department
Members: Satyabhama (Geologist, Mines and Geology Department, Moodbidri), Shivakumar (PSI, Mangaluru Rural Police Station), Tajuddin (AEE, Minor Irrigation Department), Stephen (Deputy Tahsildar, Gurupur Hobli), and Mahesh Kumar (EO, Mangaluru Taluk Panchayat).
Thumbay-Arkula-Farangipet-Valachil-Adyar-Kannur-Padil region
Nodal Officer: Krishnaveni, Senior Geologist, Mines and Geology Department
Members: Dr Mahadeshwar HS (Geologist, Bantwal), Shivakumar (PI, Bantwal Rural Police Station), Divakar (Deputy Tahsildar, Bantwal), Charan (Motor Vehicle Inspector, Bantwal Transport Department), and Sunil JB D’Souza (Bantwal Range Forest Officer).
Kottara-Surathkal-Mukka-Pavanje region
Nodal Officer: Srikant, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Panambur Subdivision
Members: Satyabhama (Geologist, Mulki), Mahesh Prasad (Inspector, Surathkal Police Station), Prakash (Assistant Environmental Officer, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board), Naveen (Deputy Tahsildar, Surathkal Hobli), and Rajesh (AEE, Mangaluru City Corporation).
Bolur-Jeppinamogaru-Kannur-Kulur-Sultan Battery region
Nodal Officer: Prashanth V Patil, Mangaluru Tahsildar
Members: Sridhar K Mallad (Regional Transport Officer), Girish Mohan (Geologist, Ullal Mines Department), Gururaj (Inspector, Pandeshwar Police Station), Jayant (Deputy Tahsildar, Mangaluru Taluk), and Mohan (Assistant Forest Officer, Mangaluru Subdivision).
The committees will work together to monitor, prevent, and take necessary actions against illegal sand mining and transportation activities, ensuring strict compliance with government regulations.