Sand smugglers use donkeys for illegal mining in Medak

Illegal sand miners in Medak are using donkeys to transport sand from riverbeds to isolated dumps before smuggling it in tractors and trucks. Officials face allegations of inaction, while farmers fear environmental damage and depletion of water sources

Medak: In an unusual method of illegal sand mining, smugglers in Medak have been employing donkeys to transport sand from riverbeds to dumps located in isolated areas, from where it is later smuggled out in tractors and trucks. The smugglers have been extracting sand from the Manjeera river, Haldi vagu and Pushpalavagu, which flow around Medak town, the district headquarters.

Despite key officials being stationed at the district headquarters, illegal sand mining has been continuing unabated, resulting in a loss of crores of rupees to the State exchequer and violating the Telangana Water, Land and Trees Act, 2002. There are serious allegations that officials have failed to curb the illegal activity due to strong political backing from ruling party leaders.

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With water levels in the rivers receding due to lack of rains, illegal miners have reportedly taken advantage of the situation to smuggle sand, which is in high demand in the State capital and across Medak district. The illegal miners have hired donkeys from the Narayankhed area in Sangareddy district and brought them to Medak for transporting sand.

Donkey owners are paid Rs 3,000 for transporting sand equivalent to one tractor load, which is later sold in the open market for around Rs 8,000. Typically, donkeys transport sand to dump locations during the night, from where tractors and trucks move it before sunrise.

As the mining is not being carried out in a regulated manner, local farmers have expressed concern that damage to the riverbed could affect its water retention capacity, leading to depletion of borewells and open wells. At Narshikhed, vehicles are reportedly entering Pushpalavagu directly, where mining is being carried out using JCBs.

Locals have demanded that officials initiate stern action against illegal miners and take measures to prevent further environmental damage.