Survey of CRZ sand blocks begins; Supply likely to resume in November

Team Udayavani, Oct 19, 2021, 12:03 PM IST

Mangaluru: A survey of sand blocks in the Coastal Regulation Zone ( CRZ) has been launched in Dakshina Kannada, said deputy commissioner Dr. K.V. Rajendra.

The sand extraction in CRZ area is likely to begin by end of November, after the completion of the survey and other regulatory processes, which may take up to one and a half months, sources said. The price of sand is expected to decline after that.

The sand extraction has come to a standstill in the district ever since the environment clearance issued by the Environment Department for sand extraction in the CRZ area lapsed on September 17.  All regulatory processes have to be completed again before the operations can begin.

The College of Fisheries in Mangaluru has been roped in to carry out the survey of the sand blocks in the Netravati and Phalguni rivers. A team of experts from the college has been assigned for the task which began on Monday. The process is likely to take about 15 days.

After the sand blocks have been identified, a technical feasibility report will be obtained from NITK. The district sand monitoring committee, chaired by the deputy commissioner, has to examine the report and forwards it to the Karnataka Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA) for approval. The sanding removal can begin after the KCZMA gives its approval.

The whole process is likely to take about a month and a half and sand extraction can only begin in late November or December, sources said.

Sand prices skyrocket!

At present, sand is being supplied from non-CRZ zones. A single load of sand fetches upwards of Rs 8,000. If sand removal in CRZ areas doesn’t start soon, people may have to face shortages, industry sources said.

Separate sand policy for the coast?

Sources said a separate sand policy has been prepared for the coast and submitted to the state government. The government would look into the matter and make a decision soon.

A group of MLAs from the coastal region had petitioned the state geology and mining minister to formulate a simplified sand mining policy for the CRZ and non-CRZ areas for the coastal region, sources added.

The minister is learned to have assured to take action in this regard.