Goa is known for its sea, sand and beaches. However, the same does not go for the real estate sector and builders as they feel that there is scarcity of sand. In fact, brazen illegal sand mining led to this ban by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2013 as it was turning out to be a big environmental hazards as the river beds were dredged to extract the sand.
Two months after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned sand mining from river beds and beaches across the country without environmental clearance, the then Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam said that 100 per cent ban on sand removal is “wrong”. “I am sorry to say some courts and some tribunals have banned the activities (of sand removal from river banks). There is 100 per cent ban. I am saying it is wrong,” he said and emphasised on the need for balance between development and environmental protection. The then Chief Justice was speaking on the occasion of the third foundation day as well as the inauguration of the new premises of the NGT, which has shifted to Faridkot House in Delhi from its small makeshift arrangements at two separate locations in the national capital ever since its inception on October 18, 2010.
The rampant sand extraction has led to the shrinking of mangrove cover, taking away a source of shelter and food, shrinking hunting grounds and forcing marine species further outside their territories in search of fish. The beaches, creeks, rivers, mangroves bore the brunt of unsustainable mining, amid several attempts by government, judiciary and civil societies to keep a tab on illegal sand mining activities.
Recently the sand extractors had met some political leaders from the Opposition in Goa for their help to save their business. They wanted that their issue could be raised on the floor of the Assembly and government should take notice of their demands.
“With natural resources and building materials like stone and sand depleting day by day across the globe with whole industry turning sensitive with environmental friendly strategies, it is very important for the think tank at the state government to initiate dialogues and works on measurers to look at alternatives for materials like sand,” said architect Manguesh R Prabhugaonkar, Chairman of Indian Institute of Architects-Goa Chapter and also Chairman of Real Estate and Housing committee of Goa Chambers of Commerce and Industries (GCCI).
He further added that there is a clientele who will always prefer the local sand in Goa due to its properties related to binding characteristics properties with stone masonry and even in concrete mixes and cement plaster both internal and external in a coastal area without cracks. The crushed sand has been emerging as alternatives, but its application has to be studied in terms of long run strength of architectural structures.
“Adequate control for sand quality is a must, which is beyond control as of now. Whatever that is delivered is considered final, even if it has impurities and mixes of sea sand or any other crushed materials, thereby affecting structure and its strength in the long run. The laboratories and its monitoring mechanism need to be more stringent with controls under government authorities, so that the buyer is supplied with appropriate materials,” added Prabhugaonkar.
In Goa the local sand is the critical to a traditional way of building a sustainable and environment friendly habitat. “Keeping environment in mind and more stringent laws being enforced, the futuristic alternatives have to be thought of as part immediate debate so that building industry can do justice to the deadlines imposed on them by Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), and also deliver as per specifications and contract. For example a five years defect liability in terms of defects in building can also be a serious issue if the building materials are not as per prescribed specifications,” added Prabugaonker.
Environmental byelaws, regulations of mines department and socio cultural dependency of communities in totality on sand extraction along the rivers of Goa needs a holistic thinking so that we do justice to the various stakeholders of the building industry and also the both sided transactions of royalty, taxes and economic growth that are linked to sand extraction business in Goa .
“Whether its NGT or an environment related concern, it is a must for the government to step with a most professionally structured policy underrating the ground realities of seriousness of our dependency on sand for building a dream house or infrastructure in the state of Goa,” stated architect Prabhugaonkar.
Nilesh Salkar President CREDAI, Goa Chapter is of the opinion that sand is an integral part of the real estate and building industry. “Any disruption of supply of sand adversely affects project costs and delivery schedules. While concern on environmental issues is justified, there appears to be a lacuna on how these issues are viewed, interpreted and enforced. A clear, uncluttered policy on mining of sand, metal (khadi), and laterite stone will ensure compliance by all stakeholders, increase revenue for the government, reins in costs for the developers, ultimately benefitting the common man,” said Salkar.
Construction in Goa has slowed down considerably with some real estate firms virtually bringing their construction to a standstill. However, the good news is that there is alternate “sand” which is basically crushed basalt. Those who are manufacturing it say that the quality of this artificial sand is much better as it is manufactured in a regulated environment and is cheaper too.
Former CREDAI President, Desh Prabhudesai said that soon after the ban on sand extraction by the NGT they along with the sand extractors had met the then Chief Minister (late) Manohar Parrikar to explain the dynamics of this business. “As far as Goa is concerned, thankfully we do not have sand mafia here. When there was no ban the sand extraction was done manually and through traditional methods and no machines were used. Also when there was extraction of sand there was no fear of river flooding. There are no dry rivers in Goa and we had requested Parrikar to give a representation that Goa does not require banning of sand extraction,” said Prabhudesai.
He added that the work of the real estate sector is hampered. “There is absolutely no sand and we have to rely on this (artificial) sand and some of the factories to manufacture such materials have come up in Goa but it is not sufficient,” said Prabhudesai.
Nandkumar V Narvekar, Managing Director of Gurukrupa Logistics said that, “The artificially made sand is better than the river as there are no impurities and the demand for such material is growing. Even the cost is cheaper and it is readily available in Goa and people have put up a big plant in Pernem. River sand is required only for plastering and this may be in shortage but for making concrete slabs the artificial sand are being used mostly.”
Aakash Khaunte, Director of Alcon said that, “There are lot of substitute for the natural sand which is readily available in the market. The technology has advanced so much that we have alternatives and it is available in Goa for the last 7-8 years. It is also environmental friendly and people who are manufacturing it have got permission from the government. With natural sand one has to clean and lot of labour is involved which makes it costly.”
Chandrashekhar G. Prabhudessai, Chairman of the Institution of Engineers, Goa Chapter said that, “alternative materials to natural sand are available in the market but problem is in the design mix as we have less number of laboratories in Goa. We have only one laboratory in Goa Engineering College. Private players need to come in and set up more laboratories which will help the real estate sector. The state government too needs to step-in here and help the sector.”
Rudresh Maqbool, a sand supplier who is out of business, said that, “We are expecting that the ban should be lifted. There is no work as we do not have river sand and it is banned. The government should define some areas for sand mining as it affects the entire value chain of construction industry. Real estate industry has come to standstill and jobs are also lost.”
