The Department of Mines and Geology has passed an order to tentatively halt sand extraction from the Tunga in the vicinity of the Chibbalagudde fish sanctuary in Tirthahalli taluk.
The 3-km stretch of the Tunga river near Chibbalagudde in Tirthahalli taluk hosts 27 varieties of fishes and has been declared as a fish sanctuary by the State government.
The department had sanctioned permission recently for sand extraction from the Tunga bank in Dabbanagadde village located a few metres away from Chibbalagudde.
Environmentalists had expressed apprehension that sand extraction here would loosen the river bank and alter the course of the river owing to which the fish in Chibbalagudde might migrate to other places or they might cease to exist.
Residents of Chibbalagudde and surrounding places had requested the district administration to stop sand extraction to conserve the aquatic creatures here.
The Hindu had also carried a detailed story in this regard on March 17.
Following this, the Senior Assistant Director of Department of Fisheries had written to the Shivamogga Deputy Commissioner to stop the sand extraction activities in the vicinity of Chibbalagudde.
Acting on the letter, the Deputy Commissioner had directed the department to take necessary action in this regard.
Inspection
The Senior Assistant Director of Mines and Geology, in an official order, has said that a joint spot inspection will be conducted soon by officials of the Mines and Geology, the Forest, and the Fisheries Departments to assess the impact of the sand extraction on the fish sanctuary.
Based on the findings of the spot inspection, a detailed report will be submitted to the State government. Till the submission of the report, sand extraction in Dabbanagadde has been barred.
The official has also warned of stern action if the extraction is continued here by violating the order.