According to the sand mining framework, India requires 70 million tonnes of sand per year, with demand increasing by 7% each year. Sand mining is the process of removing sand and gravel from the ground. In India, sand mining is largely related to construction activities. Sand is becoming a high-value commodity as a result of this massive demand. Sand mafias arise as a result of illegally mining sand and selling it for a profit. And most of the time, these unauthorized sand removals are also unscientific. The environment will be severely harmed as a result of this. This article will explain to you Sand Mining in India which will be helpful in preparing the Environment Syllabus for the UPSC Civil Service exam.

Sand Mining in India

Sand Mining In India

• Sand and gravel accounted for between 68 % to 85 % of the 47-59 billion tonnes of material extracted globally each year (UNEP-GEAS, 2014).
• The majority of sand and gravel mining is done in watersheds or rivers because of the amount of sand and gravel resource reserves owing to erosion and sedimentation from upstream areas and simple access to transportation.
• Thousands of tonnes of sand are being illegally mined to meet the rising demand of the construction industry and for mineral extraction, despite a Supreme Court order prohibiting sand mining without the required clearance from the required authorities and placing limits on the quantities that can be mined.
• There are various environmental reasons for this and other bans across India.
• The sand serves as an aquifer and a natural carpet at the river's bottom.
• Downstream erosion causes changes in channel bed and habitat type, as well as the deepening of rivers and estuaries and the widening of river mouths, as this layer is stripped away.
• Local groundwater is impacted as the river system recedes, causing water scarcities that exacerbate agriculture and local livelihoods.
• Groundwater limitations have been identified as the primary issue with river sand mining in terms of legal measures.

Environmental Consequences of Sand Mining

• Forcing the river to change its course: Sand and boulders operate as a buffer for the riverbed, preventing it from shifting direction.
• Stealing of Water: Using illegally dug sand is the same as stealing water. Sand contains a lot of water, and when it's mined and loaded onto trucks carelessly, a lot of water is lost in the process.
• Groundwater Table Depletion: Sand, which is part of the aquifer, functions as a link between the running river and the water table in a riverbed.
• Illegal and excessive sand mining in the Papagani catchment area in Karnataka, for example, has resulted in groundwater depletion and environmental degradation in communities along the river's banks in both Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
• Impact on Microorganisms: There are many microorganisms that are not visible or well-known but are important for soil structure and fertility. Sand dredging physically deprives them of their environment.
• Increased river erosion: Rivers are degraded as a result of excessive instream sand and gravel mining.
• Instream mining lowers the streambed, perhaps causing bank erosion. The loss of sand in streambeds and along coastlines causes rivers and estuaries to deepen, as well as the enlargement of river mouths and coastal inlets.
• Damage to Roads And Bridges: For example, at Vishnuprayag, rocks washed down with river water broke a side of the dam, and the waters spilled out across the dam, inflicting extensive damage.
• Threatens Agriculture: The majority of modern mines in developing countries are found in rural areas where agriculture is the primary source of income.
• This has the potential to harm farmers by increasing competition for essential resources (such as land and labor) and polluting the environment.
• Affects Coastal Ecosystem: This harmful unlawful practice causes erosion along the shoreline in beaches and waterways. For example, Kihim Beach in Alibaug. As the sea level has dropped, communities have been forced to construct sea walls to protect themselves.
• It devastates the intertidal zone and raises the risk of saline water infiltration into fresh water.
• Coastal sand mining devastates fisheries, coral reefs, mangroves, and wetlands, and has resulted in the near-extinction of gharials, a type of crocodile found only in India.
• One of the most serious consequences of beach sand mining is the lack of protection against storm surges caused by tropical storms and tsunamis.
• Affects Livelihood: Agriculture and fisheries are important sources of income for people in rural regions across Asia, and a negative impact on either can limit livelihood diversity and raise poverty levels.
• Affects Tourism: Sand mining degrades the physical appeal of beaches and riverbanks while also putting these places' biological systems in jeopardy. If such beaches and riverfront locations become famous tourist sites, they would lose their tourism potential.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Environmental Consequences of Sand Mining

Social And Economic Consequences of Sand Mining

Social Consequences

• In the mining area, there were many conflicts among miners and between miners and the neighboring populations.
• Competition for access and the right to mine in a given area produced conflicts among miners, especially if mining activities were carried out without a license.
• Conflicts between mining firms and local populations might arise when the latter does not benefit from the mining activities that take place.
• Conflicts between fellow miners were reported from the early 1980s, headed by local community leaders.
• A disagreement between a firm and the local community recorded may also in cases require the assistance of the police and other authorities to resolve.

Economic Consequences

• Revenue Loss to the Exchequer: For example, it is estimated that the loss to the exchequer in Noida and Greater Noida alone is around Rs.1,000 crore, but the impact of sand mining, which is simply robbery on the ecosystem and ecology, cannot be assessed.
• Although the loss of revenue to the government appears to be the sole tangible consequence of illegally mined sand, environmentalists and water conservation specialists warn that the impact on the ecosystem and ecology is far greater and far graver.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Economic Consequences of Sand Mining

Current Rules and Policies in Operation Related to Sand Mining

Kerala

• Existing Act: Kerala Protection of River Banks and Regulation of Removal of Sand Act, 2001
• Key Features: To allow sand mining in some locations, with each area, or Kadavu, being administered by a Kadavu Committee that will determine issues such as the amount of mining that will be allowed, as well as mobilize local people to oversee the activities and guarantee that rivers and riverbanks are protected.
• Rivers Affected: Bharathapuzha, Kuttiyadi river, Achankovil, Pampa, and Manimala rivers, Periyar, Bhavani, Siruvani, Thuthapuzha, and Chittur Puzha rivers in the Ashtamudi and Vembanad lakes' catchments

Tamil Nadu

• The policy in Tamil Nadu assures that only the government can quarry sand on government poramboke lands and private Patta lands. Sand mining by machine is forbidden.
• The government reversed this policy in 2008, and private firms were granted mining permits.
• Rivers Affected: Cauvery, Vaigai, Palar, Cheyyar, Araniyar and Kosathalaiya, Bhavani, Vellar, Vaigai Thamirabarani, Kollidam coastal districts of Nagapattinam, Tuticorin, Ramanathapuram and Kanyakumari and finally the hilly regions of Salem and Erode Districts.

Karnataka

• The Uniform Sand Mining Policy in Karnataka forbids the use of machines to mine sand from rivers and does not allow sand mining in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas.
• Since April 2011, the Karnataka High Court has prohibited the use of mechanized boats for sand mining in the state.
• The authority for sand mining control was transferred to the Public Works, Ports, and Inland Water Transport Department in September 2011 by the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession (Amendment) Rules 2011.
• Rivers Affected: Cauvery, Lakshmanateerta, Harangi, Hemavathi, Nethravatai, Papagani.

Andhra Pradesh

• In 2006, a new policy was implemented that restricts sand mining in riverbeds to manual labor and bullocks.
• Any mining tax would be waived for bullock carts, mules, and other animals. A committee led by district joint collectors will award sand to contractors through open bidding. Sand can only be sold if it has a maximum retail price; otherwise, a penalty will be imposed. Poclaines have been outlawed completely, and mining will be prohibited below three meters.
• Rivers Affected: Godavari, Tungabhadra, Vamsadhara, Nagavali, Bahuda, and Mahendratanaya are among the rivers affected.

Maharashtra

• A new policy was implemented in 2010, making it mandatory for contractors to acquire authorization from the Gramsabha before mining sand.
• Suction pump use is prohibited in dredging and sand mining licenses.
• Only through a competitive bidding process may suction pump bans and sand mining licenses be granted.
• Sand mining projects must also acquire environmental approvals.
• Rivers Affected: Creeks in Thane, Navi Mumbai, Raigad, and Ratnagiri are all affected.

Uttar Pradesh

• The Noida administration formed a "Special Mining Squad" with the mission of preventing and eventually rescuing Greater Noida from the sand mafia's ravages.
• Rivers Affected: Chhoti Gandak, Gurra, Rapti, and Ghaghara rivers are also affected.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Current Rules and Policies in Operation Related to Sand Mining

Suggested Alternatives for Sand

• Manufactured Sand (M-Sand): 'Manufactured sand' is the most viable option. A stone-crushing plant produces it.
• M-sand is made from aggregate-producing stones, and its quality is consistent and even better than river sand. M-sand is also less expensive.
• Fly Ash: The use of fly ash from the industry as a construction material should be encouraged.
• Quarry Dust: According to the results of an experiment, quarry dust can be used as a fine aggregate replacement.
• It has been discovered that replacing 40% of the sand with quarry dust offers the strongest results when compared to standard concrete and then decreases from 50%.
• Limestone: In some places where river sand is scarce, there has been an increasing interest in using crushed sand obtained from limestone quarries in recent years.
• Filtered Sand: The filtered sand comes from a stagnant river bed.
• Filter sand is used in water treatment facilities as well as major and small building projects, such as man-made lakes and ponds.

Other Suggestions

• When leasing out the riverbed for mining activities, the government should exercise caution, clearly demarcate regions, and oversee mining through appropriate institutional mechanisms.
• A periodic assessment of how much sand can be mined responsibly is required, as the quantity varies from river to river and from stretch to stretch within a river.
• Intrusive Techniques: The employment of intrusive techniques in sand mining, such as explosives and big excavators, is generally harmful.
• Manual Mining: Sand mining, particularly in mountainous places, should be done manually and sustainably.
• High-level Lobbying Group: A high-level lobbying group must be constituted, laws must be enforced in an efficient and unbiased manner, and decisive environmental solutions must be implemented

Guidelines for Sustainable Sand & Minor Mineral Mining

• District Survey Report: District Survey Report for each district in the country, treating the river in that district as a single natural system. ISRO, remote sensing data, and ground-truthing are all used.
• Sustainable Mining: Only extracting the amount of material that is deposited each year.
• Involvement of Local Government Officials in the Process: The Environment Impact Assessment Authority (DEIAA) at the district level is led by the District Collector.
• The District Collector will be aided by the District Level Expert Appraisal Committee (DEAC), which will be led by Executive Engineer (Irrigation Department) and will be in charge of giving environment clearance for small minerals, primarily sand, up to 5 hectares of mine lease area.
• Direct Environmental Clearing: As a result, the district administration, which is responsible for determining the need for sand in a district and forbidding illicit sand mining, is directly involved in environmental clearing.
• Scientific Monitoring: Information technology tools, bar coding, SMS, and other methods are used to closely monitor the transit of mined out material from source to destination..
• Real-time Data: There is no reliable information on this subject yet. This system will generate real-time statistics on mined out sand, regardless of how much sand is being mined.
• The transportation of sand is regulated by a Transit Permit.
• Environment Management Plan (EMP): The District Collector and the State Pollution Control Board will be responsible for monitoring mined out minerals, obtaining Environmental Clearance, complying with EC conditions, and enforcing the Environment Management Plan (EMP).
• Implementation: The Central Pollution Control Board, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the agency designated by the Ministry can monitor the implementation of EC criteria.
• Exemptions: Proposal to exempt certain categories of people from mining for environmental reasons, such as:
• Hereditary Kumhars (potters) who create earthen pots on a cottage business basis physically extract ordinary clay or ordinary sand.
• Earthen tile producers who prepare earthen tiles on a cottage business basis manually extract ordinary clay or ordinary sand.
• Owner farmers are removing sand that has been deposited on an agricultural area following a flood.
• Sand and ordinary earth are traditionally extracted from sources in Gram Panchayat for personal use or community work in a village.
• In MGNREGS and other government-sponsored projects, community works like desilting village ponds/tanks, construction of village/rural roads, and bunds are carried out.
• Dams, reservoirs, weirs, barrages, rivers, and canals are dredged and desilted for maintenance and upkeep, and the dredged material is used by the department.
• Dredging actions that are carried out for the intention of extracting minerals and selling them commercially are considered mining, and prior EC is necessary.
• Guideline on Handling Cluster Issues: The approach to handle cluster situations, which has been proposed in this guideline and will form part of the Notification, is not included in the original EIA notification.
• If the area is greater than 5 hectares, one EIA/EMP will be completed for each cluster, regardless of the number and size of mining leases in that cluster. B2 will apply to areas of less than 5 hectares.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Guidelines for Sustainable Sand & Minor Mineral Mining

Conclusion

Sand mining in rivers can have both beneficial and bad environmental consequences. The positive influence is due to the availability of jobs for local residents, which boosts the local economy and promotes development on a larger scale. Mining activities should be legalized and regulated by the government so that the government can profit from fees collected from miners while also regulating and supervising activities to ensure that they are carried out responsibly.

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the socio-economic impacts of sand mining in India.

Answer: Sand mining plays a crucial role in the Indian economy due to the rising demand for construction materials driven by urbanization and infrastructure development. It provides employment opportunities in extraction and transportation, significantly contributing to the livelihoods of local communities. However, it also poses socio-economic challenges, particularly through illegal mining, which often leads to conflicts, exploitation, and loss of community rights over resources. The influx of money can result in social unrest and disparities, while environmental degradation from excessive mining can jeopardize agricultural productivity and local economies. Therefore, while sand mining can enhance economic growth, it must be regulated to ensure sustainable practices and protect the rights and livelihoods of local populations.

Q2: Analyze the environmental challenges posed by sand mining and suggest sustainable practices.

Answer: Sand mining presents several environmental challenges, including habitat destruction, riverbank erosion, and disruption of aquatic ecosystems. The removal of sand alters the natural flow of rivers, affecting biodiversity and water quality. To address these challenges, sustainable practices must be implemented, such as adopting regulated mining operations, restoring mined areas, and promoting the use of alternative materials in construction. Community involvement in monitoring and managing sand resources can also enhance sustainability efforts. Implementing stricter regulations and penalties for illegal mining activities will further protect fragile ecosystems and promote responsible resource management.

Q3: Evaluate the effectiveness of government policies in regulating sand mining in India.

Answer: Government policies in India, particularly the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, aim to regulate sand mining and ensure sustainable practices. While these policies provide a framework for legal mining operations, their effectiveness has been hampered by widespread illegal mining activities and insufficient enforcement. Corruption and lack of monitoring have allowed illegal miners to operate unchecked, leading to severe environmental consequences. To improve policy effectiveness, there is a need for better enforcement mechanisms, increased transparency in licensing, and community engagement in monitoring efforts. The introduction of technological solutions for tracking mining activities can also enhance regulatory compliance and environmental protection.

Previous Year Questions on  Sand Mining in India

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020

Question: Which of the following statements about sand mining is correct?

a) Sand mining has no environmental impact.

b) Sand mining contributes to economic development.

c) Sand mining is entirely regulated in India.

d) Sand mining is sustainable without regulations.

Answer: b) Sand mining contributes to economic development.

Explanation: While sand mining significantly contributes to economic development through the construction industry, it also poses environmental challenges that need regulation.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2022

Question: “The regulation of sand mining in India is essential for sustainable development.” Discuss. (200 words)

Answer: The regulation of sand mining in India is critical for achieving sustainable development due to the extensive environmental degradation and socio-economic impacts associated with unregulated mining practices. Unsustainable sand extraction leads to habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, and alterations to river ecosystems, which adversely affect water quality and availability. Furthermore, illegal sand mining often exploits local communities, leading to conflicts and loss of livelihoods. Effective regulation can mitigate these issues by ensuring responsible mining practices, promoting the use of alternative materials, and involving local communities in monitoring efforts. Additionally, regulations can foster transparency in mining operations, enhance environmental protection, and ensure the long-term sustainability of sand resources. Hence, establishing a robust regulatory framework is essential not only for environmental conservation but also for supporting equitable economic growth and protecting the rights of local communities.