Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Oct 10: The issue of sand has been in the news since long. Ban on sand extraction has failed to address the issue. The government has done its bit to confound the problem through acquisition of sand extraction rights by PWD through tender process. Illegal sand yards are being created even in the jurisdiction of gram panchayats which have never sold any tenders. People living near these yards have been complaining that these sand yards have been playing havoc with their normal lives. In one such incident, villagers of Balkur village in the taluk are up in arms against the government's move and staged a protest.

The illegal sand business which raised its head in the coastal region including the taluk about a decade back has gone out of control now. Sand business flourishes in both Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) and non-CRZ areas. Several people had approached National Green Tribunal about the mindless extraction of sand.

With the intention of putting a stop to illegal sand mining, the government had entrusted the work of controlling illegal sand business to PWD department by beginning a system of calling for tenders. However, the government, in an attempt to stop the illegal sand trade, has given its nod to an unscientific policy, which has created problems for the sand miners. In the meantime, PWD, in violation of rules, has begun to create sand yards in vacant government land.

Tenders for sand extraction were given in Basrur, Japti and Halnadu areas. Although sand mining has not been permitted so far in Balkur village, the PWD has begun to create sand yard in survey Np;. 56/1 where 5.17 acres of government land is located, without bringing it to the notice of the people. Wire fencing has been taken up and villagers learn that electric fencing will also come up. The villagers who staged protest on Sunday morning, warned the concerned that they would not allow sand yard to come up there.

At the gram sabha and general session of Balkur gram panchayat, as far back as 2012 itself it was decided to reserve this land for the use of the general public. This was made known to the revenue department too. Citing this reason, the application filed by a local for regularization of encroachment had been rejected. The protesters said that in view of these things, it is improper to use this land for sand collection. They pointed out that people living in the area will have to inhale dusty air and cultural and sports activities in the village will stop. Local cattle will face problem of fodder. Therefore, they have demanded the revenue officials to get the area occupied by PWD vacated and allow the same to be used by villagers.

President of Balkur gram panchayat, Akshat Shetty, taluk panchayat member, Ramkishen Hegde, Vijay Putram, gram panchayat member, Ashok Kalligudde and hundreds of villagers took part in the protest.

The protesters demanded the presence of revenue officials. They said they will not vacate the spot till the revenue officials come to the spot and address their grievances. This is another of the problems created by illegal sand trade and the people have been praying that their problems will get solved soon.