The Tamil Nadu government's decision to reopen sand quarries in 10 locations, including Cuddalore, Trichy, Ariyalur, Villupuram, Tiruvallur, and Thanjavur, has sparked significant controversy. This move follows the closure of sand quarries in November 2023 after Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigations revealed multi-crore GST evasion and illegal money laundering. The government states its aim is to offset revenue losses and address a severe shortage of construction sand statewide.
Critics, including farmers and environmental activists, express deep alarm. They argue that opening these quarries will lead to severe environmental degradation and encourage illegal sand mining, particularly impacting the Cauvery delta districts and surrounding areas. Farmers recall that in 2023, despite a condition limiting extraction to 7.51 lakh units from 25 new quarries, an estimated 27.70 lakh units were illegally extracted. They fear a similar outcome, which could deplete rivers like Cauvery, Kollidam, and Vellar, potentially turning the entire Cauvery delta into a desert.
The government has announced plans to monitor sand extraction using satellite technology from the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG) to prevent over-extraction. However, farmers deem this method ineffective, suggesting alternative solutions such as importing sand from abroad to meet construction demands.
Environmentalists highlight the irony, noting that while the Karnataka government seeks to desertify the Cauvery delta by constructing the Mekedatu dam, the Tamil Nadu government's actions could inadvertently contribute to the same outcome. They urge the state government to immediately abandon its plan to open sand quarries in the delta region, prioritizing the protection of these vital agricultural areas.
