Coimbatore: Farmers allege that illegal sand mining continues unabated in water bodies across the city despite the state government allowed sand quarrying on a strictly monitored basis. They have called for an exclusive watchdog committee to be set up by the government to tackle the menace.Illegal mining of gravel, sand and clay is rampant in river, stream and tank beds across agricultural areas like Thadagam, Periyanaickenpalayam, Sulur, Kinathukidavu and Sirumugai, farmers said.“One can see lorries transporting mud, clay and gravel from these locations day and night. Because of this, many water bodies in the district are unable to hold rainwater for long time. Only if there is adequate depth and sand in water bodies, they can absorb water to recharge groundwater levels,” president of the Tamil Nadu Farmers Association (CITU) S Palanisamy said. “The agricultural community is nervous that Coimbatore may soon turn into a rocky district due to this. If that happens, agriculture will die too.”Six months ago, the Madras high court had ordered the Tamil Nadu government to close all sand quarries in the state to maintain ecological balance. However, the state government got a stay order against it from the Supreme Court. “Due to illegal mining, water bodies including the Kowsika river failed to get filled up naturally, which in turn affects hundreds of acres of farming land in the vicinity,” said Palanisamy. “Sand had been mined so deep in that once perennial river,” he said.Farmers say the revenue, mines and agriculture departments must work together to prevent illegal mining. “Even if officials act on complaints, illegal miners continue their activities with the support of politicians. These departments should create a committee to keep vigil over mining prone villages and prevent sand theft,” said Palanisamy.

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