March 10, 2023

Sand mining is causing an ecological crisis in India

topic:	Nature
located:	India
editor:	Bindu Gopal Rao

Despite its ubiquity and importance in several industries, sand is drastically overlooked and little attention is given to its traction, sourcing, use and ecological impact. 

In a report from April 2022 on “Sand and Sustainability: 10 Strategic Recommendations to Avert a Crisis,” the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) explains that "sand plays a strategic role in delivering ecosystem services, vital infrastructure for economic development, providing livelihoods within communities and maintaining biodiversity. It is linked to all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) either directly or indirectly."

In India, sand mining is causing major environmental problems, often illegally, as the demand for the resource comes from a construction boom. In fact, there are organised sand mafias that mine the valuable resource from rivers and coasts. The mafia has a dominating influence, and several reports have revealed that workers, activists and journalists who have raised their voices against this activity have been killed.

While the Indian government released the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines in 2016 and a ‘Sand Mining Framework’ in 2018 for states to frame their guidelines, implementation of the strategies has been lacking.

The impact of sand mining on the environment can be seen in the increasingly intense floods as riverbanks become unstable, or in the decreasing levels of water aquifers, the erosion of beaches, and the destruction of animal habitats. As the water becomes more turbid, its oxygen levels are reduced, which impacts the species that live in it.

As recently as last week, three minors in West Bengal were buried alive when a huge part of the riverbed caved in as they were mining sand. A Delhi minister has been quoted saying that the city is all set for a water crisis this summer as sand mining continues to threaten the River Yamuna.

With nation-wide regulations lacking, there is an urgent need for local municipalities to implement strict bylaws to control sand mining, and support regular ecological surveys around these areas to stop further excavations. Again, stronger enforcement laws with increased levels of local participation will probably be the strongest deterrent for the irresponsible practice. This must, however, be implemented swiftly as time is ticking as sand mining continues unchecked. 

Image by Ivan Bandura

Call to Action

Support environmental protection in India

Support now