Varamballi GP members to stage dharna Sept 16 - sand extraction

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Sep 15, 2015 :  A media release issued by the panchayat here Sept 14,  said that the present sand extraction policy had created problems, especially in villages. The gram panchayat had no role whatsoever in giving permission or supervising matters related to sand extraction. The sand extraction units were not bothered about the gram panchayats.   The  18 members of the Varamballi Gram Panchayat (GP) will stage a dharna at Uppinakote Junction on Sept 16, to protest against the problems arising from reckless sand extraction in the gram panchayat and in Udupi district.

Besides this, there were other problems connected to sand extraction.   A large number of 10-wheeled lorries were ferrying sand from seashores and rivers banks.   These trucks were moving on narrow roads of the villages from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

It was posing problems for the people and children in villages.  Reckless and continuous sand extraction was leading to erosion of river banks and it was affecting private land holders who had properties by the riverside.  Continuous sand extraction had also led to deterioration of the quality of sand.

The sand was now mixed with small stones and dirt. Nearly 200 to 300 lorries were ferrying sand daily from Udupi district to other districts.   This would create chronic shortage of sand and would be detrimental to developmental activities in Udupi district.

The poor people were hard hit as the rate of sand had increased substantially, the GP members said.  Also, the massive amount of sand extraction was leading to accidents and loss of lives as many persons involved in fishing, including woman, were getting into the river without realising its depth, which had increased due to extraction.   They alleged that false cases were being foisted on persons who were objecting to reckless sand extraction.

To attract the attention of the government on these issues, the gram panchayat members would stage a dharna at the Uppinakote from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 16, the release said. 

In a separate press release, Deviprasad Shetty, president of the Gram Panchayat Okoota, said that the powers of supervising sand extraction units should be given to the gram panchayats concerned. The illegal ferrying of sand to other districts should be stopped.