Updated on: Thursday, June 11, 2009
Dindigul: The Gandhigram Rural University plans to take up extensive study on sand mining in rivers of Tamil Nadu.
In a release, the Vice-Chancellor, Gandhigram Rural University, S.M. Ramasamy said massive sand mining in rivers had emerged as one of the major issues constraining resources and environment not only in Tamil Nadu but also in other parts of the country.
As large quantity of sand is detracted from riverbeds, the worry is that it would escalate numerous dangers like quicker run off owing to lack of infiltration, poor ground water recharge, extensive erosion of riverbanks, haphazard flooding of rivers and groundwater quality deterioration.
Once the dangers are studied, the state government can plan and regulate the sand mining, promote it in suitable zones and prohibit in other zones of the riverbeds, Dr. Ramasamy said.
To start off, the university plans to concentrate on vulnerable segments of the Cauvery and then in all the rivers in the State, the Vice-Chancellor said.
'The university has proposed to approach the state government for funds.'
Kalvimalar