MANGALURU: A total of 173 cases of illegal sand extraction were detected in Dakshina Kannada district from April 2024 until the end of Jan this year. In these cases, 107 trucks, 91 boats, six motor machines, one dredging machine, and 13 gas cylinders used for the purpose were seized. A total of 82 cases are pending before the courts. Officials collected a penalty amounting to Rs 54 lakh.
Meanwhile, 103 cases of illegal sand extraction were detected during the same period in Udupi district. A total of 90 vehicles and six boats were seized, and officials collected a fine of Rs 19.6 lakh.
Mines and geology minister SS Mallikarjun informed this in reply to a query raised by MLC Ivan D’Souza during the legislature session. The minister said 59 cases of illegal sand extraction in CRZ areas were registered in 2024-25, and a fine of Rs 14.7 lakh was collected. This was 108 cases in 2023-24, and fines amounting to Rs 42.9 lakh were collected.
In the non-CRZ areas, 18 sand leases were approved through tender-cum-auction, along with five sand leases for govt projects. Four sand blocks were identified for PWD and one block for the minor irrigation department. The PWD took up sand extraction in two blocks, and sand is being supplied from one block to its various development projects. Extraction is yet to commence from two more blocks, the minister explained.
Stating that there is no shortage of sand in the coastal districts, the minister said 16 units that produce M-Sand have been supplying the building materials to construction sites.
The department identified 11 sand blocks outside the CRZ, where illegal sand extraction takes place. Tenders have been invited to auction sand from six blocks in the identified areas, and the district sand committee will also auction the remaining blocks.
