Expert: Sand mining dangerous to Amaravati

VISAKHAPATNAM: Despite the objections from social activists, illegal sand mining is rampant in Krishna river creating a huge problem for the capital city of AP Amaravati in the near future, said environmental activist Bolisetty Satyanarayana. Talking to newsmen here in Vizag on Wednesday on behalf of Jai Jan Jodo Abhiyan, an NGO floated by ‘waterman of India’ Dr Rajendra Singh, Mr Bolisetty said in a short period nearly the 14-acre Venkatayyapalem island on the Krishna that belongs to Dalits was swallowed by the sand miners.

Mr Bolisetty observed that the island is around two km from Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu's camp office and the rampant mining is a dangerous trend, he said. Ignoring all the norms and precautions, the Singapore-based start-up, was given the contract to build a capital city, indulging in illegal sand mining, Mr Satyanarayana pointed out. Professor Vikram Soni, Emeritus Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University and Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi, and environmentalist, in a video message at the press conference, said that islands are part of the river ecosystem. Disturbing the river ecosystem for sand would impact on the biodiversity of the river and it can change the course of the river and the silt that comes out due to dredging can block the barrages, they added. He said that a documentary film and a letter highlighting the sand mining in Krishna river has been handed over at the Prime Minister’s office in New Delhi, he added.