Mangalore: Sand is a precious commodity, especially for the construction and real estate business. It is also of vital importance to the maintenance of the river ecology and banks. However, it seems, the former holds sway, as despite the ban, and the expiry of the temporary permits issued till August end, divers loading sand onto boats on major rivers in Dakshina Kannada is a common sight.

The Department of Mines and Geology has seized 83 vehicles and imposed fine worth Rs. 7.75 lakh. This is a marked increase from the 53 vehicles seized for the whole of the financial year 2013-14.

The Department laments a lack of staff, as according to them, only two officials have to oversee the whole district.

5,000 workers dependent on the trade,  and there is a rising demand for the product and so it continues is the opinion of Jithendra Suvarna, president, Sand Mining Workers Association.

Regulatory confusion

Sand Mining in the coastal belt is complicated by the  Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) . The department has identified 19 sand bars in CRZ areas and 38 sand blocks in the non-CRZ areas in Dakshina Kannada.

The approval for CRZ area was taken back from the State CRZ authority after a demand from sand extractors to consider the whole district as a CRZ area because it is easier to extract sand in these than in non-CRZ blocks under the new policy.

The  National Green Tribunal observation has prohibited any “temporary permits” that do not follow the guidelines, said an official.

Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim said that a State-level meeting — to be chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah — had been called on October 13 to sort out the problems. “We will get clarity and directions then,” he said.