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Title: Need to check the unprecedented level of environmental degradation and ecological imbalance due to large scale mining of river beds in Kerala. – Laid.
SHRIMATI C.S. SUJATHA (MAVELIKARA): Large-scale sand mining on river beds is causing unprecedented level of environmental degradation and ecological imbalance in the State of Kerala.
Sand mining is rampant in Kerala on the beds of all its 43 rivers and their branches and tributaries. The major rivers of Kerala ‘Bharatapuzha’ and ‘Periyar’ which could be called as the life lines of Kerala are subjected to uncontrolled mining taking the water level to an unprecedented low. The case is same with all other rivers and their tributaries. The fall in the water level is causing depletion of ground water in the surrounding land areas resulting in drying up of even drinking water sources besides having serious adverse impacts on the agriculture of the State which has been experiencing drought situation in recent years. The authorities appears to ignore the serious implication of the situation and the sand mafia is operating without any check.
I urge upon the Ministry of Environment to intervene in the situation to protect the environment from further degradation