Sand mining along River Mandovi has resulted into erosion of banks: GCZMA

SHWETA KAMAT

shweta@herald-goa.com

PANJIM:  The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has observed that rampant sand extraction along the bank of River Mandovi in the villages of Tiswadi, Bicholim and Ponda talukas has deepened the riverbeds resulting into erosion of the banks and is reeling under possible threat of more areas getting eroded. 

The coastal body also noted that uncontrolled sand mining has also affected marine life.

There has been a drastic decrease in the quantity of locally famous ‘Khube’ – which serves as livelihood to the traditional dwellers spread across villages of Betki-Khandola, Volvoi and Vere-Vaghurme villages of Ponda taluka, Kothambi, Surla, Navelim and Amona villages of Bicholim taluka and Juve village in Tiswadi. 

The GCZMA has directed Directorate of Mines and Geology, District Collectors North and South to conduct inquiry into the illegal mining activities and the alleged violations and to submit report. 

A complaint was filed by the Chairman of Biodiversity Management Committee of Vere-Vaghurme village alleging gross violation of CRZ regulation by excessive sand extraction from the riverine areas in Vere-Vaghurme and Volvoi villages. Complaints were also filed with regards to cutting of mangroves & trees without permission, land filling in the river to change land use, permanent and temporary construction of hutments, pucca structures and roads within No Development Zones (NDZ) and Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ) along the bank of Mandovi River in the three talukas. 

Accordingly, the GCZMA expert members held site inspection on October 27. 

“The landslides along the banks are very serious issues. The rampant sand extraction has deepened the riverbed and has resulted into erosion of the banks. Many more areas are under the threat of getting collapsed/eroded. This has resulted into loss of coconut trees and has incurred loss to the traditional dwellers i.e. farmers and farm workers,” the Authority said in its conclusion report. 

“It is also learnt from the local people that these activities have affected the habitat of marine life. The quantity of locally famous ‘Khube’ has drastically decreased and the traditional dwellers depending on the harvest of these ‘Khube’ for their livelihood are facing serious problems,” it added. 

“All the violations are carried out to facilitate unloading of sand and its transportation,” it said further. 

During its inspection and documents produced by the complainants, the coastal body observed that several complaints were made to various authorities like Directorate of Mines & Geology, Captain of Ports, Forest Department, Water Resources Department, District Collectors, who failed to act. The Authority said that law enforcing agencies need to be vigilant and strictly act against the illegalities.