WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024
Team Herald
PERNEM: Rampant sand mining continues despite ban on the illegal activity in the State. After Ugvem, now farmers from Talarna in Pernem taluka have complained that the rampant sand extraction in Chapora River has destroyed their agricultural land.
The farmers said the sand mining is carried out especially at night and the constant extraction of sand has led to the sliding of river banks. This in turn has increased the depth of the river and broadened its width.
They further claimed that despite several letters to all the concerned authorities complaining against the illegality the officials have failed to initiate action.
Chandrakant Parab, a farmer said, “Despite ban, sand mining continues at night. On July 29, we showed the police at least four canoes which were involved in illegal extraction of sand but the authorities have failed putting an end to this illegal activity. Police are initiating action but sand mining continues. Only strict measures are needed to stop this illegal activity.”
Aaron D'Souza, another farmer said, “Eight coconut trees washed away with several square metres of agricultural land causing us huge losses. Two more trees are on verge of dying.”
"Despite oral and written complaints, the Mamlatdar and Mines Department have failed to initiate action. The sliding of river banks has broadened the width of the river”, claimed another villager.
Farmers called upon the government to construct a protection wall along the river to save their land and demanded that the illegal activity be stopped immediately.
In the absence of tenant verification drive, the villagers fear that with several migrant labourers engaged in sand extraction activity in the village there are possibilities of they getting involved in criminal activities.
