Environmentalists say TN losing several hillocks due to m-sand mining

28 Jun 2021 CW Team

According to environmentalists, Tamil Nadu is losing several hillocks to indiscriminate mining for m-sand, cautioning about an inevitable disaster in a water-starved state.

Against the backdrop of the Madras high court’s Monday ruling, leading the government to crack down on illegal quarrying, they aim at showing how the scam-tainted granite quarries of a decade ago adversely affected the ecosystem.

Government sources say that the actual volume cannot be quantified because of the lack of a monitoring system, but estimate the 840 crushing units, sourcing raw material from 700 quarries, generate 2 lakh tonnes-4 lakh tonnes of m-sand every day. Environmentalists say destroying hillocks will negatively impact the hydrological cycle and biodiversity.

Environmentalists say that river sand mining is more serious, but sand gets replaced naturally if left unmined for a few years, adding that hillocks once destroyed, cannot be recreated. Additionally, private quarries fetch the state just Rs 600 crore in royalties yearly.

In 2019, the Madras high court quoting records said that Tamil Nadu’s hillocks and mountains are being sold to other states.

Ramjee Nagarajan, an Environmental scientist, said that quarrying hillocks impact watershed and weathering processes. Biodiversity will be strongly disrupted due to such activities. Besides, the ripples may hit the water courses resulting in fluoride contamination of groundwater.

S Yuvaraj, Secretary, Construction and Real Estate Industry Coalition, said that the number of crushing units raised in the last five years after the severe shortage of river sand in 2017. But, the issue is that they cannot quantify the volume of m-sand created in the state and provided to Karnataka and Kerala.

Public Works Department officials said that river sand available for construction in the state could last three years if m-sand-producing quarries are closed, while government sources said measures are being implemented to observe quarries from district collectorates through CCTV cameras.

Image Source

Also read: TN construction body urges state to regulate bldg material prices

According to environmentalists, Tamil Nadu is losing several hillocks to indiscriminate mining for m-sand, cautioning about an inevitable disaster in a water-starved state. Against the backdrop of the Madras high court’s Monday ruling, leading the government to crack down on illegal quarrying, they aim at showing how the scam-tainted granite quarries of a decade ago adversely affected the ecosystem. Government sources say that the actual volume cannot be quantified because of the lack of a monitoring system, but estimate the 840 crushing units, sourcing raw material from 700 quarries, generate 2 lakh tonnes-4 lakh tonnes of m-sand every day. Environmentalists say destroying hillocks will negatively impact the hydrological cycle and biodiversity. Environmentalists say that river sand mining is more serious, but sand gets replaced naturally if left unmined for a few years, adding that hillocks once destroyed, cannot be recreated. Additionally, private quarries fetch the state just Rs 600 crore in royalties yearly. In 2019, the Madras high court quoting records said that Tamil Nadu’s hillocks and mountains are being sold to other states. Ramjee Nagarajan, an Environmental scientist, said that quarrying hillocks impact watershed and weathering processes. Biodiversity will be strongly disrupted due to such activities. Besides, the ripples may hit the water courses resulting in fluoride contamination of groundwater. S Yuvaraj, Secretary, Construction and Real Estate Industry Coalition, said that the number of crushing units raised in the last five years after the severe shortage of river sand in 2017. But, the issue is that they cannot quantify the volume of m-sand created in the state and provided to Karnataka and Kerala. Public Works Department officials said that river sand available for construction in the state could last three years if m-sand-producing quarries are closed, while government sources said measures are being implemented to observe quarries from district collectorates through CCTV cameras. Image Source Also read: TN construction body urges state to regulate bldg material prices

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Infrastructure Transport

06 Jul 2026

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Infrastructure Transport

06 Jul 2026

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..