MSME Registered Contractors’ Association, Mangaluru, on Wednesday urged the district administration to issue permits for sand extraction on Nandini and Shambhavi rivers to its members.
Association adviser B.S. Chandru told presspersons here that it was incorporated to undertake extraction and sale of sand under the Union government’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises job-oriented scheme and under the Prime Minister’s Mineral Area Welfare Programme as well as the District Mineral Foundation.
The association has already submitted application for sand extraction and sale in the district.
He said sand extraction was allowed in CRZ as well as non-CRZ areas of Nandini and Shambhavi rivers in Mangaluru taluk till 2016-17.
While the CRZ jurisdiction extends till Karnire in Shambhavi river, it extends till Chailyar in Nandini river.
Mr. Chandru noted that abundant sand dunes were available in CRZ areas of both the rivers.
Similarly, in non-CRZ areas of these rivers too, enough sand was available. Non-extraction of sand might also result in floods during the monsoon, he said. As such, the administration should issue permits for sand extraction in these two rivers, thereby, helping many entrepreneurs and labourers who depend on sand and construction industry in the district. It will also help to cater to sand requirements in the area.