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.