Arambol: “Illegal sand mining at the Mirzalwada and Paaybacho Baandh on the border of Paliem Bhalkhazan is posing threat to the sluice gates,” said Gangaram Palyekar, member of Malak Khazan Kul Shetkari Sanghatana as he feared that it will result in damaging of sluice gates and salt water entering their field and damaging their crops.
Palyekar stated that the sluice gates were constructed by WRD at the cost of Rs 15 lakh, and that at least four canoes are illegally extracting sand on a regular basis.
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“Despite the court orders, the illegal sand extraction has continued in the area. This amounts to contempt of court. On top of this, the people involved in the illegal activities are also destroying mangroves in the area. This leads to widening of riverbed and agricultural lands on either side of the river will be destroyed,” said Palyekar.
Palyekar said that the people extracting sand pay no heed to the requests made by farmers. “That is why we have no other option than to submit the copy of our complaint to Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar, the Mamlatdar and Pernem PI,” he said.
