more-in As there is poor response to taking up extraction of sand in the non-Coastal Regulatory Zone areas, the district administration is considering relaxing norms and allowing people from outside the district to extract sand, said Minister in-charge of Dakshina Kannada U.T. Khader here on Monday. Talking to reporters, Mr. Khader said that a policy for sand extraction for coastal Karnataka was framed by the State government. Among the several conditions for extraction of sand in the non-CRZ area in the region included one that said that the extractor concerned should be a local person and should have five years experience. As a result of such stringent norms, very few took part in the tender process initiated twice by the district administration for issuing permits. “I am keen on relaxing these conditions and allowing even an outsider to extract sand here,” Mr. Khader said and added, “The whole intention is to make sand available to the common man at about ? 4,000 per lorry load. We need to remove obstacles and pave way for availability of sand to people at affordable cost,” he said. CRZ area Mr. Khader said that temporary permits should be issued for extraction of sand in CRZ areas, pending the bathymetry survey (carried out to scientifically access the availability of sand) and getting clearance (from the Karnataka State-level Environment Impact Assessment Authority). “As we get clearances after doing relief works during sea erosion, the district administration should follow the same for sand extraction too. “The district administration can rectify permits, if needed, following clearance. But, for the present, extraction should start forthwith,” he said.

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