Sand mining adversely affecting rivers

Vindhya Hewavitharana

COLOMBO: Gin Ganga, Deduru Oya and other large rivers face a major problem as a result of river sand mining, a seminar was told on Tuesday.

This was the focus of a workshop organised by the Sri Lankan Association for the Advancement of Science on "sea sand as an alternative to river sand for construction".

"The projected sand demand for the construction industry is always less than the actual usage. Unlike other countries Sri Lanka heavily depends on river sand for construction. River sand mining affects the coastal belt, water supply, fisheries, tourism and agriculture," Dr Anura Nanayakkara, Environmental Committee spokesman said.

"Off shore sand, dune sand, quarry dust, land based sand are the sand varieties introduced instead of river sand.

Off shore sand is used in many Countries for construction. Experimental investigations prove that this sand holds a long durability in construction," he added.

According to SLASS sources, to reduce the large scale and uncontrolled river sand mining, the solutions are restricting or banning river sand mining, using some alternative types of sand, reducing wastage and improving workmanship. Through these actions the irreversible damage to the environment could be stopped.

Dr. N.P. Nanayakkara pointed out that "natural disasters could be reduced not only in Sri Lanka but also all around the world, if people associated with the construction industry are aware of the major effects of river sand mining".