Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jul 5: A joint delegation of like-minded organizations and the Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh (R) submitted a memorandum to district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday July 5, urging the permanent cessation of illegal sand mining in Pavoor Uliya island. They emphasized the need to protect the livelihoods of the island's residents and called for strict action against the officials from the department of mines and geology who allegedly provided false information to the district administration while colluding with individuals involved in illegal sand mining.
Despite the lack of official permission for any form of sand mining in Pavoor Uliya, located within the jurisdiction of Konaje police station in Ullal taluk, influential sand mafias have been conducting widespread illegal sand extraction. This has put the entire island, which is home to approximately 55 families and rich in sensitive Kandla vegetation, at risk of erosion.
In 2014, the then deputy commissioner (DC) of Dakshina Kannada, A B Ibrahim, had banned all types of sand mining within a one-kilometre radius of the island in response to continuous complaints, issuing an order to that effect on November 28, 2014. However, in recent years, illegal sand mining has resumed in the area, allegedly with the tacit support of local police. Those who filed complaints have reported that their details were leaked to the perpetrators by the police.
To assess the ground reality, a high-level delegation comprising key members from two organizations, along with prominent local media representatives, visited the area. They later met with the DC of Dakshina Kannada and provided comprehensive information on the situation. Officials from the department of mines and geology visited the site, gathered information while reportedly traveling in boats belonging to individuals involved in illegal sand mining, and later issued a statement to the media dismissing the reports as old footage and denying any current illegal sand mining or land encroachment. This has been a source of significant embarrassment and led to demands for the suspension and thorough investigation of these officials, as well as stringent action against them.
Prominent members of the joint delegation included Muneer Katipalla, Roy Castelino, Sunil Kumar Bajal, Catholic Sabha president Alwyn D'Souza, and other key figures such as Stany Lobo and John Lasrado. Representatives from Pavoor Uliya, including Gilbert D'Souza, Ronald D'Souza, Benedict D'Souza, Basil D'Souza, and Philip D'Souza, were also present.