In Tamil Nadu, with a view to drawing the attention of the government to the
magnitude of the problem and sensitising people about the risks involved, the Campaign
for the Protection of Water Resources-Tamil Nadu arranged a State-level "public
hearing" on the impact of sand mining (on river basins, streams, coastal areas and hill
regions). After intense studies in different regions and interaction with the affected
people, the Campaign for the Protection of Water Resources, Tamil Nadu has identified
15 adverse consequences of sand mining. They include the depletion of groundwater;
lesser availability of water for industrial, agricultural and drinking purposes; destruction
of agricultural land; loss of employment to farm workers; threat to livelihoods; human
rights violations; and damage to roads and bridges. Representatives of victims from 13
of the 28 districts of the State gave evidence on the damage caused to the environment
and livelihoods in these districts. The affected river basins included those of the Palar
and its tributaries Cheyyar, Araniyar and Kosathalaiyar (Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur
districts); the Cauvery (Karur district); the Bhavani (Erode district); the Vellar
(Perambalur district); the Vaigai (Madurai and Theni districts); and the Thamiraparani
(Tirunelveli district). Victims from the coastal districts of Nagapattinam, Tuticorin,
Ramanatha-puram and Kanyakumari.