Kappad Beach, Kerala:
Kerala is being robbed off its biggest asset every day and shockingly it goes unnoticed. Officials pretend to be unaware of the illegal mining done on the sandy beaches of God's own country.
In a complete violation of the CRZ rule which says mining is not allowed within 500 meters of the coast, many men can be seen digging away heaps of sand in 16 catamarans right at the point where the waves kiss the coast. Overnight, at least 30 trucks of sand is taken away. This has been happening everyday, over the last 6 years. The miners have threatened locals against approaching the officials.
Suresh Babu, a local resident says, "some 10 years ago, the sand banks were 150 times larger. We approached the High court, two cases were filed but it still continues."
NDTV filed a complaint at the office of the chairman of Kerala coastal zone management.
"I will forward this to the accountable officers and surely necessary action will be taken," Dr EP Yeshodharan said.
Black sand rich in minerals like Illmenite and Thorium is found in many parts of the south west coast. It is fine and clear of stones and clay, so saves miners the cost of cleaning before construction.
An estimated 600 tonnes of sand is mined illegally every year from Kerala's coast and smuggled to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for construction. This could erode the sea to a great extent damaging the coastal system.
The cost of sand from 450 rupees a ton 10 years ago, is today anywhere between Rs 15000 to 20000 a ton. Sand audits show a grim picture and though there are stringent norms for sand mining, the business of illegal mining flourishes thanks to the nexus with some politicians. No one makes a sound, except the waves.