March 08, 2016: Mangaluru: The extraction of sand in coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) from allotted portions of the riverbed can be done only after the Union ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) issue its clearance, said Vinay Kulkarni, minister of state for mining and geology.
The environment clearance for the extraction of sand from the riverbeds in CRZ area expired on January 16. The department has sought fresh clearance from the MoEF to permit mining of sand in the area, he said.
The minister on Sunday said the state government is hopeful of obtaining clearance in 20 days.
"I have asked the secretary of the department of mines and geology to follow up the matter," he said, adding that nothing can be done without the MoEF clearance. As many as 19 sand bars have been identified in CRZ area in the Dakshina Kannada district, from which 20.4 lakh metric tonnes of sand can be extracted.
Only traditional forms of extraction are allowed in the CRZ area. As for the extraction in non-CRZ area, he said that the public works department (PWD) has identified 38 blocks, of which 23 have been auctioned in the DK district.
(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)