Mangaluru: The Mines Department declares that there is an ample supply of sand in the Dakshina Kannada district, dispelling any concerns about a shortage.

In Mangalore, 25 sand mining leases have been granted in non-CRZ areas, with 24 currently operational.

Sand mining is restricted from June to October 15 due to the monsoon, as specified in the Environmental Clearance Letter.

Despite the monsoon restrictions, the stockyards in sand block lease areas have approximately 102,467 metric tonnes of sand available. Of this, 27,023 metric tonnes have been supplied to works in the district, and an additional 75,444 metric tonnes are in stock.

Sand contractors have been given 30 days, as per Karnataka Sub-Mineral Concession Rules, to ensure that development works in the district are not hampered due to a lack of sand supply.

In Original Petition No. 252/2017(SZ) filed in the National Green Bench, South Zone, Chennai, a directive dated 18-05-2022, instructs the use of sand removed from dunes for leveling in low-lying areas, beach maintenance, and strengthening river banks.

According to the notification dated 08-11-2011 from the Union Ministry of Forests and Environment, sand dunes numbered 4 and 5 in the Netravati and Falguni rivers have been identified within the coastal control zone of the district through routine identification in May.

In a petition filed on 30-08-2023 by existing sand contractors in the non-CRZ area, a request is made to relax the mandatory requirement of producing and transporting 50 percent of the annual sub-mineral production, citing low demand for sand in the district. There is also a plea to clear restrictions on inter-district sand shipping. The Deputy Director of the Mines and Earth Sciences Department emphasized the availability of sand in the district and the absence of a shortage in a release.