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Serious environmental concerns over sand mining

By Shezna Shums

The Coast Conservation Department (CCD) has warned of severe environmental consequences if indiscriminate mining of sand from inland rivers is not stopped forthwith.

According to CCD Director, R.A.D.B. Samaranayake, eight million cubic meters of sand is mined from rivers and some from the coastal areas for the construction industry each year. He says this quantity is the same as the quantity of cement used in the country each year.

He says 50% of the eight million cubic meters of sand excavated each year is used within the Western Province for the construction of buildings and roads.

Samaranayake pointed out that with plans to rehabilitate the north east and with new buildings coming up in Colombo, the demand for inland sand would escalate, further damaging the environment. "The demand for sand in the construction industry will go up to 10 million cubic meters per year," he said.

The main concern by the CCD is that sand mining from rivers increases the possibility of fragmentation of the land surrounding the river, which gives rise to soil erosion.

Sand mining is increasingly carried out in Maha Oya, Daduru Oya, Kalu Ganga and Kelaniya river. According to Samaranayake, it is the provincial councils that should look into the matter and take necessary action to prevent it.

Samaranayake stated that even in the Kaduwela area, sand excavation is a problem.

Samaranayake also said that another side effect owing to sand mining from the inland rivers is that it lets sea water come into the river. He said if this is continued, people might be short of drinking water.

"Another problem that can arise here is that the riverbanks can collapse which may cause financial and human loss to the area. According to statistics from the CCD the total mining in beaches and rivers in 1984 was 1500, in 1991 it was 2500 and in 2001 it went up to 4000 million cubic meters," he said.

Samaranayake added sand mining in the coastal areas should be encouraged. He explained that the sand would have to be taken six to eight km away from the shore.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader,  Chairman, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, R.K.D. Silva says that sand mining is strongly discouraged.

He added that the three places where the situation is serious are Danduru Oya, Kelani Oya and Maha Oya.

He says with the increased development projects in the country there will be a definite increase in the demand for sand. "There is a sand mining ban on certain areas in these rivers but a total ban on sand mining cannot be done. On one hand the cost of sand will increase if it is done and on the other, many people who rely on this trade for their livelihood may lose their jobs," he said.

He said a detailed report on this issue would be submitted to Prime Minister's Secretary, Bradman Weerakoon tomorrow, September 1.

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