Karwar: Deputy Commissioner K Harishkumar said that a team of experts from Mangalore University have conducted a study on the possibilities of taking up sand mining in the Kali river. The report has been reviewed by the Environment & Forest Ministry and the district administration will proceed as per the guidance of the ministry.

Harishkumar told reporters in Karwar on Monday that according to the local people, as sand was not being mined from the Kali river, the movement of boats was being affected. To understand the fact, a team of experts was summoned from Mangaluru and asked to study the situation.

He said that steps had been taken to get approval for sand mining in the district. The norms laid down by the Environment & Forest Ministry in this regard had to be followed. Approval of the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) too had to be got and a proposal had to be submitted to the State committee. All these processes had concluded and the approval was expected to get within 15 days. Ultimately, all the issues would become clear after the CRZ State Committee meeting.

He said that the local people had approached the court asking not to allow sand mining in one part of Sharavathi river. In this case, decision on giving approval for sand mining will be taken based on the CRZ State committee directions.