Sand Mining: A Silent Threat to the River Ecosystem

One of the major dangers to the survival of river ecosystems, particularly in developing nations, is sand mining. Unchecked urbanization is the main factor causing this illicit activity. Sand is a significant and essential component of the concrete jungles that make up urban building. Sand becomes a crucial resource as a result, but its supply is unfortunately controlled. Comparing river sand to other types of sand or replacement materials, river sand excels in terms of quality, shape, durability, mineral composition, and availability. As per UNEP-GEAS, 2014 river sand is the most consumed resource, which is naturally available and globally comprises about 85% of minerals (by weight) extracted annually. This cheap natural resource and its diverse properties make it a crucial resource for other industries like electroplating, glass, ceramics, aircraft, etc. As a result, sand mining has become more popular in recent years, whether officially or illegally, especially in growing nations like China and India. Reviewing the effects of sand mining on the elements of river biomes and using cutting-edge technology to monitor these activities were the goals of this study. The study found that illegal sand mining, which harms both the environment and society economically, has grown to be the most underappreciated threat to the river ecology. The monitoring and evaluation of the sand resources and the mining activities have been made easier with the use of remote sensing and satellite data from sources like LANDSAT, BHUVAN, and others in geographic information systems (GIS) software like ArcGIS, QGIS. Many corrective actions are being taken, such as the use of demolition and construction debris, M-sand, and quarry dust, although these alternatives may not always be affordable and environmentally compassionate. Therefore, to handle the demand of the mining activities, research funding is needed to identify better sand substitutes. In order to interrupt the cycle of illicit mining and implement strong regulations against the sand mafias, there is a critical need to raise awareness among the locals and residents. To protect the soil, water, aquatic life, and socioeconomic stability of the residents, better watershed management plans also need to be implemented.