Activists seek substitutes for sand

MUMBAI: Artificial sand that is sand obtained by crushing stones and boulders is being considered as an alternative to natural sand, said Swadhin Kshatriya, additional chief secretary, revenue.

The objective in looking for an alternative, said Kshatriya, was to reduce the dependence on natural sand and thus reduce environmental degradation. Asked if artificial sand would not result in cutting of hills, Kshatriya said at present it was the only technology available.

"Sites will be chosen such that it causes minimum environmental damage," he said.

Sources said barren land will be considered for extraction of stones and boulders. "Artificial sand is being used though at limited construction sites. Its only drawback is that it does not give a good finish," said sources.

Activist Sumaira Abdulali who has been fighting against illegal sand mining and has been advocating an alternative to natural sand said the solution was even worse.

"It would mean breaking down not just hills but mountains, denuding trees and creating flat lands. This would result in huge climatic changes. When we talk alternatives it must be recycling and not wreaking havoc," she said.

Abdulali said in some Scandinavian countries no fresh building materials are allowed in a redevelopment project until the existing debris is entirely recycled. In England, slag (a by product of the metal industry) is used to make precisely engineered aggregate suitable for construction.

Natural sand is mined from river bed and the sea-shore. To meet the demands of the construction industry, river beds have been stripped of sand causing soil erosion and flooding of fields close to river banks. The government recently framed a new mining policy on the directions of the Supreme Court. No permission for mining can be granted unless an environment clearance has been obtained. While the state cabinet has approved the new policy it has been submitted to the court for its nod, said revenue officials. Last year the government earned Rs 1,200 crore as revenue from minor minerals.

Another alternative being considered is the silt from dams. "This will also increase the holding capacity of dams. But this concept is still very preliminary," said sources.

A third alternative being considered is bricks from flyash which is a by-product of thermal power plants. Kshatriya said the report was in its final stages and will be submitted to the cabinet soon.

Abdulali said the government must consider recycling and invest in research. "It is for the government to ensure that the alternatives become commercially viable," she said.