After two-years break Sand Mining begins in Udupi District
Udupi: After continues protests and meetings, sand mining has commenced in Udupi district under the coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) on Friday, September 27.
According to Deputy Commissioner Jagadeesh, the Karnataka State Coastal Zone Management Authority, Department of Forest, Environment and Ecology has permitted the extraction of sand from eight sand bars under the CRZ area of the district.
Permission has been given to extract sand from the four sand bars in River Papanashini, one from River Swarna and three from River Seetha. About 7,96,522 metric tonnes of sand is available in eight sand bars. A seven-member committee has taken the decision to issue permits to all 170 applicants. “Among the 170, 12 have a criminal background.
The permit holders should extract sand at the site specified. If they extract sand near bridges and mangroves action will be initiated against them based on the GPS information. “Measures will be taken to ensure that the extracted sand is not smuggled from the district. The district administration has fixed Rs 5,500 for 10 tonnes of sand at the stockyard.
The transportation cost up to 20 km for small vehicles would be Rs 1,500. Later, it will be charged at Rs 35 per kilometer. For bigger trucks, it will be Rs 2,500 up to 20 km and Rs 50 per km for extra distance.
He said that the action will be taken if the sand is smuggled to other districts. Vehicles without GPS will be fined and the license will be cancelled after the third violation.