Calls for regulation of sand extraction in Lemyo, Kaladan rivers

By Admin 30 Nov 2024

DMG Newsroom
30 November 2024, Mrauk-U

Residents and environmentalists in Arakan State are urging authorities to tighten regulations on the use of machinery to extract sand from the Lemyo and Kaladan rivers amid growing concerns about the impact of excessive sand extraction on riverbanks.

Locals reported mass extraction of sand from the Kaladan River near the jetty in Kyauktaw Town with the use of heavy machinery.

A local woman from Kyauktaw said: "I have seen boats extracting sand from the river daily recently."

Locals in Mrauk-U have also reported seeing boats extracting sand from the Lemyo River daily since early November.

Environmentalists said that continuous sand extraction has resulted in increased cases of riverbank erosion along the Lemyo and Kaladan rivers.

"They are extracting sand in deep riverbeds, and there are no strong retaining walls, increasing the risk of riverbank erosion," explained environmentalist Ko Myint Aung. "It is a problem faced by Arakan State every year."

Environmentalists have called on the Arakkha Army (AA) and its political wing, the United League of Arakan (ULA), to regulate sand mining of rivers in territory it controls.

The demand for sand has significantly increased recently as the construction industry has revived in some townships liberated by the AA.

"With construction projects resuming, the demand for sand has risen. Sand extraction operations are more frequent now, and the price of sand has also gone up compared with last year," said U Aung Kyaw Hla, a local sand trader from Kyauktaw.

The environmental damage caused by excessive sand extraction has resulted in more frequent flooding and riverbank collapses in Arakan State, particularly during the monsoon season. There were even fatal incidents during the rainy season resulting from floods and landslides along the Lemyo River.

"In the rainy season, we are constantly worried about flooding and riverbank erosion," said Daw Nu Nu Sein from Maungdaw. "The erosion is so severe that people in our village are even considering relocating to higher ground. The sandbanks in the river [due to riverbank erosion] have made it harder for boats to navigate."

Environmentalists have called for collaborative efforts between local organisations, authorities and the public to focus on environmental conservation works in Arakan State, which is prone to natural disasters.