Crackdown on Illegal Sand Mining in Coastal Karnataka: 270 Cases, Rs 1 Crore in Fines Collected

Mangaluru: Authorities in Coastal Karnataka have intensified their crackdown on illegal sand mining, registering over 270 cases and collecting nearly Rs 1 crore in fines between April 2024 and January 2025. In Dakshina Kannada alone, 173 cases were recorded, leading to the seizure of 107 trucks, 91 boats, six motor machines, one dredging machine, and 13 gas cylinders. Of these cases, 82 have been taken to court, with fines amounting to Rs 54.04 lakh. Meanwhile, in Udupi, officials detected 103 cases of illegal sand extraction, seizing 90 vehicles and six boats, and collecting fines worth Rs 19.59 lakh.

Replying to a question raised by MLC Ivan D’Souza at the Legislative Council, State Mines and Geology Minister S S Mallikarjun revealed that 108 cases of illegal sand extraction in CRZ areas were booked in 2023-24, yielding Rs 42.90 lakh in fines, while in 2024-25, 59 such cases have already resulted in Rs 14.72 lakh in fines. In non-CRZ areas, authorities have approved 18 sand leases for legal mining, while tenders for six identified illegal mining zones are underway. The Minister also assured that M-sand units are fulfilling the region’s construction needs and clarified that legalizing illegal sand mining is not permitted under current regulations.