Q7. Coastal sand mining, whether legal or illegal, poses one of the biggest threats to our environment. Analyze the impact of sand mining along the Indian coasts, citing specific examples.

Model Answer:

Introduction

Coastal sand mining poses a severe threat to India's coastal environments. This practice has wide-ranging impacts on ecosystems, local communities, and infrastructure along the country's extensive coastline.

Body

Impact of Sand Mining 

• Coastal erosion: Sand mining accelerates coastal erosion by removing sediment that would naturally replenish beaches.
  • For example, In Tamil Nadu, extensive sand mining along the Cooum and Adyar rivers has led to severe erosion of Chennai's Marina Beach, one of the world's longest urban beaches. The shoreline has receded by several meters in some areas.

• Damage to marine ecosystems: Mining disrupts habitats for marine life and coastal vegetation. 
  • For example, In Kerala's Alappad village, decades of sand mining have destroyed large stretches of the coast. This has decimated local fish populations and damaged seagrass beds, affecting both marine biodiversity and the livelihoods of fishing communities.

• Increased vulnerability to natural disasters: Removal of sand dunes and beach sediment leaves coastal areas more exposed to storms and tsunamis.
  • For example, The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami caused disproportionate damage in areas of Tamil Nadu where illegal sand mining had weakened natural coastal defenses.

• Saltwater intrusion: Excessive sand extraction can lower the coastal water table, allowing seawater to intrude into freshwater aquifers.
  • For Example: In Goa, sand mining in the Chapora and Tiracol river basins has led to saltwater intrusion, affecting agricultural land and drinking water sources in coastal villages.

• Loss of livelihoods: Sand mining often negatively impacts traditional fishing and agriculture-based livelihoods.
  • For Example: In Odisha's Chilika Lake region, sand mining has damaged fish breeding grounds and reduced catches, severely affecting local fishing communities.

• Infrastructure damage: Sand mining can undermine coastal structures and roads. 
  • For Example: In Maharashtra, sand mining along the Konkan coast has damaged foundations of bridges and coastal roads in several areas.

• Biodiversity loss: Mining activities disrupt nesting sites for various species, including endangered ones.
  • For Example: In the Andaman Islands, sand mining has damaged nesting beaches for sea turtles, including the vulnerable Olive Ridley turtles.

Conclusion

The detrimental effects of coastal sand mining in India underscore the urgent need for stricter regulations, sustainable alternatives, and increased awareness to protect fragile coastal ecosystems and the communities depending on them.    

Instant Mains Evaluation with SuperKalam

✅ Now that you have gone through the model answer, try practicing and writing it in your own words and evaluate it instantly with SuperKalam here - Evaluate Mains Answer instantly

‍