Coastal sand mining, whether legal or illegal, poses one of the biggest threats to our environment. Analyze the impact of sand mining along the Indians coasts, citing specific examples. (UPSC MAINS GS3 )
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has released a report, Sand and Sustainability: Finding new solutions for environmental governance of global sand resources, that highlights a problem that the sand has been extracted at rates exceeding natural replenishment rates.
Coastal sand mining poses one of the biggest threats to our environment:
Example:
1. Kerala
Sand mining in coastal Kerala is swallowing villages and displacing thousands
2. Tamilnadu
Conclusion
After banning mining of river sand and other minor minerals without the mandatory environment clearance, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has banned beach sand mining from the sea coast of Tamil Nadu and Kerala is step in right direction. Only strict implementation of laws, introduction of state-level policies, and encouragement of artificial sand usage in construction, can stop the irreversible scarring of India’s rivers and beaches and protect its ecological health.
Topics Covered- Impact of Sand Mining
93 videos|194 docs|48 tests
|
1. What is coastal sand mining? |
2. What are the environmental impacts of coastal sand mining? |
3. How does coastal sand mining affect local communities? |
4. What are the regulations around coastal sand mining in India? |
5. How can coastal sand mining be sustainable? |
|
Explore Courses for UPSC exam
|