Course correction soon as sand mining alters river direction

The district administration is gearing up to crack the whip on illegal sand mining, in the light of reports that the menace had led to the Malaprabha river changing its course.

The task force to curb illegal mining had found it difficult to rein in those extracting sand illegally as they had the tacit support of local politicians and the police. There have been instances of officials trying to put an end to the illegality being issued death threats.

A section of the media had reported on the perils of sand mining in the river basin. The river, which flows from Belgaum district, enters the district at Haganur in Badami taluk.

In fact, the river divides Gadag and Bagalkot districts, which are on its right and left side, respectively. Sand mining is rampant in both the districts. The river flows through the Badami and Hungund taluks of Bagalkot district and joins the Krishna river in Kudalasangama.

The Archaeological Survey of India had also appealed to the district administration to take steps to curb sand mining as remains of an ancient civilisation had been discovered at Khyada village of Badami taluk in the river basin.

In one case, it came to light that the son of a staffer in the Badami police station was involved in the illegal practice.

Deputy Commissioner A M Kunjappa told Deccan Herald that it had been decided to impose a total ban on sand mining in a bid to conserve the river. He said that the authorities in both the districts of Gadag and Bagalkot had to take a take a joint decision in this regard. Kunjappa said he would discuss the matter with his Gadag counterpart.