Kundapur: Locals protest against illegal mining of sand, demand action

Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (VM)

Kundapur, Feb 22: In spite of several protests for the past one-and-a-half years by environmental activists, illegal removal of sand with nets in Haladi river at places like Basrur and Balkur is said to have gone on unmitigated.

The frustrated residents on Wednesday February 20 thus intensified their protest by raiding Hattikudru where illegal sand mining allegedly takes place.

They said that illegal mining of sand is done from Basrur Garadimane till Kandlur bridge. "So far, the depth of the river has gone down to 20-25 feet and 250-300 workers are busy removing 1,000 to 1,500 loads of sand," they said.

"Due to this, the coconut trees on either side of the roads have become shaky and pose a threat as they may fall any time. Children and elders find it difficult to walk on the roads and even fishermen face problems while fishing," alleged the protesters.

"Of the total sand miners, only 20 percent have obtained licence to dig for sand and the rest remove it illegally," the protesters claimed, demanding strict action in the matter.