Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

ENVRONMENTA MPACTS OF SAND MINING FROM MEENACHIL RIVER, KERALA, !NDIA

C.K. Baiju, M. Arurnugam. B. Ajaykumar, Mahesh Mohan and P.S. Rakesh

Abstract

Sand mining, a severe environmental problem to the river basins of Kerala, have numerous impacts on land, water and biota. The study revealed that channel deepening and widening occurred mainly at lower reaches of the Meenachil river. Instream mining in the Meenachil River has altered the channel geometry and bed elevation as well as reduced the stockpiling of sediment and quality of water. Reduction in the distribution and abundance of some species of plants, birds and fishes was also observed. Impact factors of sand mining were derived and prepared an impact zonation map for the Meenachil River, which clearly suggests an immediate attention for curbing the illicit and unscientific mining from the river and also for making a better strategy for River Management.