Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Nov 17: Dakshina Kannada district administration has given the green signal for traditional sand mining. The decision was taken in the meeting that was chaired by deputy commissioner (DC) Ravikumar on Monday along with seven member committee.

The district administration has identified 14 spots in Netravati and Phalguni river for vacating sand dunes. Tenders were called in the month of May. In total 287 applications were received. Among those 200 were identified and 148 licences were approved. However, they could not carry out sand mining as the then DC Rajendra had prohibited the same based on the order of Chennai bench of green tribunal.

The ban imposed by DC Rajendra was questioned in high court by the licence holder and the HC quashed the order and now approval is given for traditional sand mining.

DC Ravikumar said, “Decision is taken by the committee to allow traditional sand mining in areas that were identified earlier in the CRZ area. No use of machine is allowed. Only traditional labourers should be used. No illegal excavation will be allowed. We will install CCTV cameras near sand dunes. Sand will be distributed only through app.”