Sand mining
Topic: Mineral Resources of India: Distribution and Conservation · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Sand mining means digging sand out of riverbeds and beaches, mainly for construction. In law, sand is a minor mineral, so state governments regulate it, not the Centre. Too much mining lowers riverbeds and water tables, eats away riverbanks, weakens bridges and harms wildlife. To control it, the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines 2016 require a district survey report and environmental clearance before mining. Enforcement guidelines followed in 2020.
Example
Unchecked mining from Indian riverbeds has lowered the water level in nearby wells and exposed the foundations of bridges. One alternative is manufactured sand (M-sand), which is made by crushing rock.
Don't confuse with
- Beach sand minerals: these are valuable heavy minerals, such as ilmenite and monazite, found in coastal sands. Sand mining is mostly about ordinary sand used for building.