Illegal Sand Mining in Malattaru River

• Illegal Sand Mining Incident:

  • More than 20 units of illegally mined river sand discovered in Machampattu village from the dry Malattaru River.
  • The operation was based on information provided by farmer and social activist J. Paranthaman.

• Administrative Actions:

  • A team of revenue officials and police conducted inspections, leading to the sealing of the premises where the sand was stored.
  • The sand will be inspected further by the Water Resources Department (WRD) for potential public auction post-seizure.

• Impact on Local Community:

  • Machampattu, part of the Pernambut Panchayat Union in Vellore district, relies on the Malattaru River for domestic and irrigation purposes.
  • Illegal mining has transformed the perennial river into a seasonal waterbody, causing significant depletion of groundwater in surrounding farming villages.

• Legal Provisions:

  • Mining of river sand, including for government projects (e.g., construction of school buildings and Anganwadi centers), is prohibited in Tamil Nadu as per State norms.
  • Designated government quarries are the only authorized sources for sand procurement for government infrastructure projects.

• Economic Regulations:

  • The revenue generated from the public auction of the seized sand will contribute to the State exchequer.
  • Legal repercussions will follow for the identified landowner, Navin, involved in the illegal mining activities.

• Ongoing Investigations:

  • Authorities are investigating further operations related to illegal sand mining and its broader environmental implications.

This incident reflects significant concerns around environmental protection, illegal mining regulations, and the management of natural resources in accordance with state policies.