Sand mining; Five-member committee appointed to evaluate feasibility of amendment

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A proposal to amend the Kerala Protection of Riverbanks and Regulation of Removal of Sand Act, 2001 is under review to facilitate sand mining in the state's rivers. A committee led by the Law Secretary and comprising five members has been formed to evaluate this proposal's viability and suggest necessary amendments. The anticipated amendment aligns with the directives outlined by the Union Ministry of Environment.

The move aims to address the severe shortage of sand, crucial for construction purposes by potentially providing a substantial quantity for the next three years. The Institute of Land and Disaster Management (ILDM) conducted a sand audit in 32 rivers two years ago, discovering sand deposits in 17 rivers. This audit revealed an estimated production potential of at least 300,000 tons of sand weekly.

The ILDM's audit report has been submitted to the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) for a final evaluation with a mandate to grant approval only after their comprehensive analysis. Additionally, plans are in place to conduct further sand audits in 12 additional rivers. Following the significant 2018 flood which inundated various rivers and water bodies with excessive sand impacting water flow adversely, a proposed guideline stipulates that sand extraction permissions should be based on district-level survey reports.

The revised process dictates that each river requires a separate environmental permit for sand extraction. Subsequently, an approved mining plan must be formulated and the respective local governing bodies will auction the mining rights, providing a potential revenue source.

Minister of Revenue Department, K Rajan clarified that although the possibility of amending the law is being explored, it has not yet reached ministerial consideration. He emphasized the need for detailed assessments before any conclusive decision-making.