Te demand for river sand and consequent higher prize following the construction boom in kerala, has led to indiscriminate sand mining from rivers, violating the rules in several parts of the State Deepening of the riverbed, coupled with the severe dry spell this year, has depleted groundwater level sharply.
This has resulted in the drying up of wells and ponds on which the inhabitants of river basins depend for drinking water. In the absence of sand no natural retention of water takes place. Sediment deficient flow picks up more sediment from the stream below the mining site, furthering the degradation process. In the Pampa River, aggressive sand mining is going on, it worsen the situation there. The situation has reached such a stage that the ground water level in the river basin has dropped by 3-4 meter. The riverbed has dropped by 4-6 meters. As a result not only have the wells and ponds dried up but saline water intrusion is taking place in Pampa.
(The Business Line 3rd February 2007)
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