Sand mafia issue: NECF to approach ACB

Udupi:  The National Environment Care Federation (NECF) has decided to lodge a complaint against sand mafia to Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), said NECF state secretary.

Addressing the media in here he said that due to unabated sand extraction has taken a toll on river beds. The sand mafia has looted Rs 14,500 crore and a complaint will be filed before ACB Court which is scheduled to be opened in Udupi in January.

The state secretary said that the CRZ is an international law and it cannot be revised according to the convenience of the politicians and their followers. As per CRZ 1, up to 500 metres and as per the CRZ II, until there is salt content in the water, the sand should not be extracted.

It takes 80 years for the accumulation of one foot of sand. Traditional boats can be used to extract sand and clear the sand blocks if the movement of boats is hindered, he added.

He alleged that the labourers were being brought from the states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for sand extraction and accused the sand mafia of overpowering the law.

“Even a few officials are involved in illegal activities by supporting the sand mafia. Sand is illegally transported to the other district and states. In one year, 9,87,179 tonnes of sand was extracted. There are no takers for sand extraction in non-CRZ area as the availability of sand is less in the area,” he opinioned.

He also accused the Udupi MLA of supporting the sand mafia and behaving ignorant of the law.