Lakes Turn Barren as Sand Mining Continues Unchecked
In a disturbing turn of events, many lakes that have served as a crucial water source for humans and livestock for years are now facing an irreversible loss of life. This dire situation can be attributed to the relentless pursuit of profit by politicians, who view sand as a lucrative commodity rather than a valuable natural resource.
One such example of this destructive practice can be found in the Poonmudi area near Vanur in Villupuram district. It all began when the Minister of Mineral Resources, Ponmudi, granted permission for earthmoving activities in the region. Unfortunately, this decision had disastrous consequences for the local ecosystem. With the son of Ponmudi being an earthmoving contractor himself, the situation quickly escalated.
The devastating effect of these earthmoving activities caught the attention of the public when horrifying footage surfaced. The video highlighted the extent to which the contractors were willing to go to extract sand for profit, regardless of the environmental consequences.
Prompted by this revelation, concerned citizens took it upon themselves to document the deteriorating condition of other red quarries in the area. Today, we present some of the distressing images that capture the gravity of the situation.
One of the images depicts the Perambai Village Mud Quarry in the Vanuar area, which is owned by Sadanandham. The quarry is situated along the Perambai Road, a vital artery connecting Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. What was once a bustling road now resembles a narrow path, sandwiched between two quarries. This encroachment has significantly reduced the road’s width, causing multiple vehicles to lose their stability and plunge into the mud pit.
Even more troubling is the fact that during the rainy season, numerous incidents have been reported where cattle stumbled into the deep rainwater ditches and tragically lost their lives. It raises questions about the responsibility of the authorities who should have safeguarded the road against such dangers. Instead, they have chosen to divert those seeking to travel this treacherous route, leaving them with no option but to take a longer, safer route.
The wanton greed of soil grabbers, who spare not even an inch, has left a devastating impact on both the environment and the livelihoods of those dependent on these lakes and quarries. It is high time that strict measures are implemented to regulate sand mining activities and protect our invaluable natural resources.
Unless urgent action is taken, the once thriving lakes will remain as barren wastelands, serving as a haunting reminder of the consequences of prioritizing profit over sustainability. The onus is now on politicians, regulatory bodies, and society as a whole to rally together and put an end to this destructive practice before irreparable damage is done.