Farmers Raise Their Voice Against Illegal Quarrying in Water Bodies, Hillocks
In a growing environmental and agricultural crisis, farmers across India are protesting rampant illegal quarrying in rivers, lakes, and hills. Unregulated sand and stone mining are depleting water sources, eroding soil, and threatening livelihoods.
Scale of Illegal Quarrying in India
States like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh face severe illegal mining. Reports suggest mining mafias, often backed by political connections, violate environmental laws by extracting sand and minerals from protected zones.
Farmers report vanishing groundwater, dried-up wells, and failing crops due to riverbed excavation. “Our land is turning barren because of illegal mining,” says Ramesh Patel, a Nashik farmer.
Environmental & Agricultural Damage
- Water Depletion: Mining lowers water tables, affecting irrigation.
- Soil Erosion Riverbed destruction increases flood risks.
- Biodiversity Loss: Hillock blasting destroys natural wind barriers.
“The hills protecting our farms are gone,” says Lakshmi Devi, a Krishnagiri farmer.
Farmers’ Protests & Government Inaction
Frustrated by weak enforcement, farmers are:
– Blocking illegal mining trucks (Karnataka)
– Clashing with mafias (Uttar Pradesh)
– Demanding stricter laws
Activists blame corruption, with officials allegedly taking bribes to ignore violations.
Laws & Loopholes Enabling Illegal Mining
Despite India’s Mines and Minerals Act (1957) and Environment Protection Act (1986), weak enforcement allows illegal quarrying. The NGT has issued orders, but night mining and fake permits continue.
Demands for Change
Farmers urge:
✅ Stronger monitoring (drones, satellites)
✅ Community-led oversight
✅ Alternative jobs for laborers
✅ Punishment for corrupt officials
Conclusion
Illegal quarrying threatens farmers’ survival and India’s environment. Without urgent action, food security and climate resilience will worsen. Farmers’ message is clear: “Stop the plunder—save our land.”
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