Addressing a press meet here on Wednesday, Grama Ulisi Horata Samithi Secretary Hussain Bava Innoli said illegal sand mining is being carried out in CRZ area in Innoli of Pavoor village and the sand is being illegally stored at Arkula in Adyar. The contractors have taken the permission for the land which does not come under CRZ limits and are engaged in sand mining in the CRZ limits.
“With the sand mining, which is being carried out unabated in the region, the wells have become polluted with the intrusion of salt water. There are over 50 wells in the region and over 500 acre farm land. Once the salt water intrudes into farm land, then all the grown crops will be damaged and no crops can be grown. Already three wells in Natarakodi and Killur have started getting salt water. Once the salt water intrudes into the well, then the well becomes a waste. We are scared of all the wells getting polluted with salt water.”
He said: “We are opposed to the system wherein PWD will auction sand slabs. If the rules come into force, then we can not take the sand which is in our own land. We will have to purchase it from the contractor, which is highly ridiculous. We will approach the court if the authorities fail to stop sand mining in the region.”
He said sand is a natural resource which is being looted by the sand miners. Motor is fixed to the boat which is used for mining, which is also illegal.
Pavoor Gram Panchayat President Abdul Khader said those who are involved in sand mining have failed to take NoC from the Gram Panchayat.
The villagers said that they had submitted their memorandum to DC and other officers concerned. However, no action has been taken to check sand mining in the region so far.