Residents protest Silica sand mining in Tamil Nadu's Thanjavur, Tiruvarur

Residents from over 10 villages in Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts protested on Friday against silica sand mining in their locality, expressing concerns over environmental impact and groundwater depletion.

According to the report of DTNext, a local individual obtained permission in 2021 to dredge silica sand from his 11-acre field, with authorities allowing mining up to 26 feet deep. However, residents of Thambikottai, Keezhakadu, Vadakadu, Maravakadu, and other villages along the district borders opposed the mining from the outset. They feared the drilling would harm the environment and groundwater resources, prompting protests.

Following the residents' opposition, local officials had halted the mining operations earlier. The protesters submitted petitions to the district collectors of Thanjavur and Tiruvarur and the mining department, demanding the cancellation of the mining permission.

On Friday, workers with earthmovers and tractors tried to resume mining under police protection. After hearing about the renewed activities, nearby villagers gathered at the Thoppu Mariamman temple at 7 a.m. for a peaceful "waiting" protest. They demanded an immediate cessation of the dredging and a permanent withdrawal of the mining permit.

In response to the protest, Pattukkottai Tahsildhar Sukumaran and Assistant Director of Mines Srinivasa Rao arrived to talk with the protesters. The officials assured the residents that mining would be halted temporarily and invited them to a peace meeting on October 16. After this, the protesters dispersed around 2 p.m.

Keezhakadu Village Development Committee President, A. Maharajan, voiced the community's concerns. He noted over 20 coastal villages in Thanjavur and Tiruvarur, and the individual who secured the mining permit owns about 40 acres, of which 11 acres were sanctioned for silica sand extraction.

Maharajan stated that mining might exceed the permitted depth, causing a severe drop in groundwater levels across 10 villages, and harming the environment. 

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