Udupi Villagers Confront District Collector Over Sand Mining Crisis
In a significant development, villagers from Nagaramata in Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, have formally petitioned District Collector Swaroopa TK, highlighting the severe environmental and agricultural repercussions of ongoing sand mining in River Sita. The delegation submitted a detailed memorandum on Friday, outlining a series of critical issues that have emerged due to the extraction activities.
Erosion and River Widening: A Dire Warning
The villagers reported that unscientific sand mining has triggered extensive soil erosion across hundreds of acres of agricultural land. They provided a stark historical comparison, noting that elders in the community recall River Sita being approximately 60 feet wide in the past. Today, that width has ballooned to an alarming 160 feet, with nearly 100 feet of this expansion encroaching upon what was once productive farmland.
"The natural course of the river is being dangerously altered," the memorandum stated. "This has instilled a deep fear among our farmers that they are on the verge of losing their fertile, livelihood-sustaining land."
Broader Environmental and Livelihood Threats
The concerns extend far beyond immediate land loss. The villagers warned that sand mining, particularly from the dam area in Nagaramata, poses a severe threat to the region's groundwater table. They anticipate a potential decline in water levels and an increase in salinity, which would critically impact both irrigation and drinking water sources.
The community's dependence on the river is multifaceted:
- Irrigation for vegetables and various crops.
- Fishing, which serves as a primary livelihood for many families.
Any degradation of the river's health directly threatens these essential economic activities.
Allegations and Demands for Scientific Scrutiny
Expressing frustration, the villagers alleged that the mining permissions were granted based on an official report containing factual inaccuracies. They revealed that this was not their first attempt to seek redress, having submitted previous memoranda to relevant authorities without satisfactory resolution.
Their core demands to the District Administration include:
- An immediate halt to the mining until a proper assessment is completed.
- A comprehensive scientific study to determine the true suitability of the area for sand mining.
- Corrective action based on factual and accurate environmental data.
District Collector's Assurance of Action
In response to the urgent appeal, District Collector Swaroopa TK has taken a proactive stance. She has promised to dispatch a senior geologist from the Department of Mines and Geology to Nagaramata to conduct a thorough, on-ground investigation of the issues raised.
"No injustice will be meted out to the residents," the DC assured the gathering, committing to a fair and transparent review process. This move is seen as a critical first step in addressing the villagers' grievances and assessing the long-term sustainability of mining activities in the ecologically sensitive zone.
