Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (KD/NR)

Udupi, Sep 12: A protest was staged against illegal sand mining at Nidamballi near Kallianpur by the residents of Nejar and Nidamballi here on Tuesday September 11.

The protest was supported by the Sri Keshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development project, Billava Mahila Okoota, Navodaya Self Help Groups and other local organizations. The protestors complained that illegal sand mining operation in the region had damaged the roads leading to the villages and the condition of the roads had become pathetic indeed, owing to the flow of heavy vehicular movements.

The Udupi tahsildar had seized four vehicles which were being used for illegally mining sands about a month back. Despite the police seizure, the sand mining operations have resumed once again, was the protestors' contention.

Social worker R L Dais who also spoke on the occasion opined that the general public in the region should allow only auto rickshaws to operate and disallow heavy vehicles for sand mining.

Moreover he made an ardent plea to the people to cooperate with the Retired Forest Officers’ Association, which is planting mangroves all over the region. The mangroves will greatly help in prevention of sand erosion, he informed.