Subject: Environment & Ecology

Answer:

India's extensive 7,500 km coastline faces severe environmental challenges due to rampant coastal sand mining. According to the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), about 33.6% of India's coastline is experiencing erosion, highlighting the gravity of this environmental crisis.

Environmental Impacts

Physical Impacts

• Coastal Erosion: Excessive sand extraction disrupts the natural sediment balance, leading to accelerated erosion of beaches and coastal areas.
• Altered Coastal Morphology: Mining activities change beach profiles and nearshore bathymetry, affecting natural coastal processes.
• Groundwater Dynamics: Sand removal leads to saltwater intrusion into coastal aquifers, threatening freshwater resources.

Ecological Impacts

• Habitat Destruction: Mining destroys crucial nesting sites for marine species like Olive Ridley turtles and shore birds.
• Biodiversity Loss: Removal of sand affects benthic organisms and disrupts marine food chains.
• Ecosystem Degradation: Damages coral reefs and seagrass beds, essential for coastal ecosystem health.

Socio-Economic Impacts

• Coastal Community Vulnerability: Increased exposure to natural disasters due to weakened coastal defense.
• Livelihood Loss: Affects traditional fishing communities and tourism-dependent populations.
• Infrastructure Damage: Threatens coastal structures and buildings due to enhanced erosion.

Regional Examples

• Kerala: Reported 425 illegal sand mining cases in 2023-24, with maximum cases in Malappuram (222) and Kasaragod (91), resulting in ₹2.06 crore fines.
• Odisha: Rayagada district imposed penalties worth ₹16.17 lakh for illegal sand mining in 2024-25.

Way Forward

The solution lies in implementing strict regulations through Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notifications, promoting alternatives like manufactured sand (M-sand), and strengthening monitoring mechanisms through satellite surveillance and community participation. Success stories like Maharashtra's ban on mechanical sand mining and implementation of the Sustainable Sand Mining Guidelines (2016) demonstrate effective governance models for coastal resource management.

The need of the hour is to balance development needs with environmental conservation through sustainable practices and robust enforcement mechanisms, ensuring the protection of our vital coastal ecosystems for future generations.