Kundapur: Acacia trees fast disappearing due to illegal sand mining


Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Jul 11: An area named Holekadu within Balkur gram panchayat near here, where the gram panchayat had planted acacia saplings for raising a plantation to strengthen social forestry, is witnessing senseless uprooting of acacia trees. Acacia trees are losing existence because of illegal sand mining there. The locals are agitated at the lackadaisical approach owned by both the gram panchayat and the department of mining and geology towards this disastrous development.

Sand mining is going on unabated in several rivers in the taluk, which flow westwards and empty into the Arabian Sea. As per an estimate, about 90 percent of sand trade is illegal and unlicensed. Most of the times, the miners use the same permit they had obtained from the department of mines and geology sometime back, and flash the same piece of paper everywhere when questioned. This issue has repeatedly been raised in gram sabhas and agitations were held by villagers against illegal mining in the past.

The gram panchayat and department of mines and geology have been turning a blind eye to this blatant violation which openly takes place on a stretch of seven km right from near Kandlur Bridge. In spite of clear instructions of the zilla panchayat to confine sand mining activities between 8 am and 4 pm, most of the activity is witnessed during night, robbing the government of its genuine revenue.

Acacia trees had been planted by the gram panchayat some decades ago in an area spreading over 35 acres of land by the side of Varahi river. As the sand miners have undertaken their illegal activity by the side of this plantation, and used nets for mining the sand, the bank of the rivulet has suffered landslide for a depth of 25 feet, causing the acacia trees stand on the bank to get uprooted and fall into the river in hundreds. The sand miners are allowing their relatives to take away these trees.

The gram panchayat has been sleeping over the matter, even after complaint was lodged through the panchayat development officer. This has made people to assume that the gram panchayat is tacitly supporting this illegal activity. The villagers have also warned the panchayat that strong measures by way of protests and other actions would be undertaken if the panchayat continues to overlook their complaints.

Panchayat development officer of Balkur gram panchayat, Muhammed Aseem, when contacted, feigned ignorance about these developments, and assured to take steps after visiting the spot.

  

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Comment on this article

  • vishwa prathap, balkur

    Sat, Jul 26 2014

    tis trees were frst plantation idea given by kandavara kelamane members ...tis place was waste place like now oops forest

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Gurudath, M'lore/Mumbai

    Sun, Jul 13 2014

    Acacia trees are not native to this place. They should plant trees like coconut in these areas.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Amin Bhoja, Patte / Riyadh

    Sat, Jul 12 2014

    ...Some just greedy creatures in this earth!!!looking for just selfish gain only.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • MANOHAR , MANGALORE

    Sat, Jul 12 2014

    please stop the concrete trees ( buildings ) planting. if government is having any responsibility for the human being then stop the permits of buildings of more then 4-5 floors. if the land mafia stops then all will cleared and for the future we can eat good foods. if not then we have to stick on fancy foods like pizza, burger then in future generation will not see the ajja, ajji , pizzi at least present generation can see the old aged persons still living in the world.

    DisAgree Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, M'lore

    Sat, Jul 12 2014

    Illegal sand mining -A real burning issue.
    Acacia Trees....Useless.

    DisAgree [17] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • vivek, hirebile / abu dhabi

    Sat, Jul 12 2014

    Whistle Blowing News from "DAIJIWORLD".... I appriciate the Reporte's Attempt to Rise this Issue....Time comes now that Local M.L.A & M.P's should read DAIJIWORLD regularly to know what is Happening in their Constituency

    DisAgree [1] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • Achhu, M,lore

    Fri, Jul 11 2014

    Thanks daiji for sharing these beauty of nature. .we here in middle East enjoy it and feel happy.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Darryl Tauro, Mangalore

    Fri, Jul 11 2014

    "only when the last tree is cut only when the last of water on earth exhausts only when the rarest animal vanishes will Man realize , that we cannot eat Money...."

    DisAgree [1] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse


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