Abstract:
Mining is the extraction of sand, usually from an open pit. It can be excavated
from sand dunes, beaches, rivers, water streams and even ocean beds. Today,
mining is a major economic activity in developing countries which has
created various environmental and socio-economic issues. The main objective
of this study is to identify the environmental and socio- economic issues
created by illegal sand mining in Aluthgama GN division in the Kimbulwana
Oya basin. This study was conducted based on primary and secondary data
with cross-sectional mix methods combining both quantitative and qualitative
research methods. A questionnaire and field observations were used to collect
primary data. Collected qualitative and quantitative data was analyzed using
Microsoft excel software. Secondary data were collected from various
sources. According to the analysis, the banks and the bed of the river have
been eroded immensely due to the sand mining. A sloping road has been
constructed for the passage of vehicles to the river bed. Due to continuous
dumping of sand, bank erosion and uprooting of surrounding
vegetation can be seen and the size characteristics of river sediments have
been changed. The biodiversity of the environment has been greatly damaged.
The plant systems on the banks of the river have been destroyed, the life cycle
of aquatic organisms has been damaged, and certain food webs and chains
have been broken. This creates socio-economic impacts in the area as a means
of generating income. Water scarcity has become a serious problem in many
areas along the river during the dry season. Lack of clean water for bathing,
loss of land, frequent conflicts between miners and fishing communities due
to rapid decline in fish stocks. Finally, it helps to educate people about the
environmental, socio-economic values, guide authorities to consider the long term consequences of sand mining and contribute to the formulation new
policies. It can be used to protect and preserve rivers and valleys from sand
mining.
