Latest news with #CRZAct
Hans India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Coast sand and stone crisis: Locals blame mafia, policy paralysis
Mangaluru: In coastal Karnataka, natural resources like sand, laterite, and gravel—once abundantly available for local construction—have turned into contested commodities. What locals once viewed as their rightful share of the region's natural wealth is now at the centre of a spiralling resource crisis, allegedly driven by political interests and unchecked commercial exploitation. Much like how Ballari's mineral-rich lands became synonymous with iron ore and Kolar with gold, the coastal belt's bedrock—its sandbanks and laterite deposits—has emerged as a resource hotspot. However, as large-scale extraction began catering to demands from Bengaluru and neighbouring Kerala, allegations of an entrenched 'sand mafia' have begun to surface. Residents say that the regulatory clampdown on local sand extraction—especially in areas not falling under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)—has ironically created a scarcity in the region, driving up construction costs and putting pressure on daily-wage labourers dependent on the industry. 'Earlier, three units of sand would cost around ₹3,000, including royalty charges. Today, it has touched ₹20,000,' said Athaulla Jokatte, a top functionary of the Social Democratic Party of India in Mangaluru. According to him, the royalty per unit, once ₹350, has surged to ₹1,800, with no corresponding access to local resources. While tenders have been floated for sand extraction in non-CRZ areas such as Adyar, Gurupura, Shambhoor, Moodbidri, Puttur, Uppinangady, Belthangady, Siddakatte, and Sullia, administrative approvals have reportedly been withheld. This has led to growing frustration among local builders and workers alike, who now face difficulty sourcing essential materials within the district. 'There is an irony here,' said a civic activist in Moodbidri. 'The very sand from our riverbeds is being trucked out to other districts and states, while locals are denied access. The system is punishing us with high prices and stalled work, just because we're not part of the political supply chain.' Jokatte said. Environmental safeguards, particularly those concerning the CRZ Act, remain vital for long-term ecological stability, say officials. But critics argue that selective enforcement and lack of a clear, scientific extraction policy for non-CRZ areas have created a vacuum ripe for this, there is a rising public demand for the district administration to revisit its policies. Civil society groups have called for minimal royalty rates, regulated extraction in non-sensitive areas, and a halt to the indiscriminate export of resources outside the region. What began as a regulatory exercise to protect the coast has now become, many allege, a political economy of control. As coastal Karnataka's development hinges on infrastructure, affordable housing, and sustainable employment, many believe the region must reclaim both access and accountability over its natural wealth.
New Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Fishermen protest over sea access in Andhra's Bapatla
GUNTUR: Tension gripped the Bapatla Collectorate on Tuesday as fishermen from Vijayalakshmipuram and eight other villages staged a protest demanding restoration of access to the sea through the Eepurupalem straight-cut canal. A brief scuffle with police occurred during the dharna, but was quickly defused after District Collector J Venkata Murali and SP Tushar Dudi invited fishermen representatives for talks. The Collector assured that rocks blocking the canal mouth would be removed immediately and fishing routes restored. He announced the withdrawal of police cases against protestors and promised criminal action against those who dumped rocks illegally, obstructing the canal's flow. Over 20,000 families using 2,500 boats have reportedly been affected. The disruption was traced to an individual who diverted 500 tonnes of sand to reroute the canal, causing severe boat damage and access issues. A special committee with officials from multiple departments and fishermen representatives will investigate the issue. A field-level report is expected within a month. Any illegal encroachments found will be dealt with under the CRZ Act. Dudi confirmed police cooperation in restoring routes. Fishermen leaders submitted complaints, and officials assured strong legal action and protection of livelihoods.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Wetlands shrinking rapidly in Kerala, fallout can be terrible
1 2 Kochi: Wetlands in Kerala shrank from 2.35 lakh hectares in 1990 to 1.6 lakh ha by 2011, notes S Girija Kumari, head of the University Institute of Technology, Kayamkulam, in the Feb edition of forest department's magazine Aaranyam. She cited unchecked urbanisation, relentless consumerism and an ever-growing appetite for luxury as the reasons for its rapid depletion. With paddy giving way to commercial crops, wetlands' fabric also altered significantly, the report notes. Scientists say, as with the new Aranmula project, wetlands will shrink further, sometimes with the dilution of laws. "Paddy is supposed to be a wetland crop controlling hydrology in an area," said State Wetland Authority (SWA) former member K K Ramachandran. "Unfortunately, Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules was reissued in 2017 which changed its definition in effect excluding paddy fields from that purview. We don't have a database to gauge the extent of wetlands reclaimed in each timeline. Kerala govt initially decided to classify wetlands of 2.5ha and above. However, it was found that a large number fall under that classification. But I understand that the govt asked to identify only the largest 40 wetlands. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em São Paulo (consulte o preço) Alarmes Undo The govt is delaying the process of notifying the wetlands' inventory. It seems they are set to notify 20 wetlands first. However, I'm doubtful since SWA is not serious about enforcement of powers," he said. National Centre for Earth Science Studies ex-scientist K V Thomas said Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act was largely diluted, benefiting both politicians and businessmen mutually. "Earlier, the act allowed reclaiming wetland and paddy fields by a poor family to construct a house. With the extent of area increased, anyone can reclaim the land. The Act's dilution happened twice in the last eight years. Similar dilutions happened in the CRZ Act too, where Pokkali fields' definition was removed from it. It resulted in a large wetland network being excluded from the protection of CRZ notification. Wetlands and paddy fields are flood plains. When an ecosystem's continuity is lost through reclamation, flooding — whether downstream/upstream — will be a threat. Groundwater recharge will be affected and temperature will rise due to construction," warned Thomas. State Biodiversity Board chairman N Anil Kumar said. "Reclamation of ecologically important places will affect fish breeding grounds. Wetlands attract migratory birds which fly thousands of kilometres for breeding. If there is no healthy system for its breeding, it will further impact their population. The local conversion has a global impact. Ramsar sites are declared for that purpose. It's important to declare more wetlands as Ramsar sites," he said.
