Mangaluru court halts illegal sand extraction activities

Mangaluru officials have taken action against illegal sand extraction in the area. The assistant commissioner issued an order directing certain individuals to appear in court and restore environmental damage caused by their activities. This follows a raid on March 6 near the Phalguni River where illegal sand mining operations were discovered. Residents had reported that sand was being taken from the riverbank without proper permits, which caused public disturbances and environmental harm. The assistant commissioner, Harshaverdhana SJ, sent show-cause notices to several people from Thiruvail and Muloor villages. They must attend a court hearing on April 7. The illegal mining has led to the erosion of riverbanks and a drop in groundwater levels. During the inspection, officials found evidence of sand mining operations, including 11 seized boats. The properties had been altered to create roads for transporting sand. The order requires the accused to halt the sand transportation immediately. They must also stop using machinery for this purpose and submit a report confirming their compliance. Failure to comply could result in the confiscation of their properties and fines ranging from Rs 5 to 15 lakh under environmental regulations.