Discuss the reasons behind unsustainable management of sand resources in India. Highlighting its impact, enumerate the remedial measures taken in this context. (Answer in 250 words)

1. Lack of uniform regulation across the country. (state-wise regulation.)

2. Increased demand for construction activities as India's cities develop.

3. Sand mafia - usually powered and vengeful in most states.

4. Involvement of local officials: huge office corruption.

5. Lack of cheap alternative such as m-sand which is more

6. Lack of adherence to Environmental Impact assessment - damage is often underplayed.

Impact of unsustainable management:

1. Loss of biodiversity in regions. Eg: Corombal river gnavals

2. Decreased quality of water resources: from river-bed mining.

3. Contamination of ground water resources - as sediments are finer and float up.

4. Can damage livelihoods of those dependent on river resources.

Thus, the following measures are taken:

1. m-sand: manufactured sand - a little more expensive, but is finer and more uniform to better for construction.

2. Environmental Impact assessment: for legal sand-mining operation

3. Use of floodplain sediments in younger rivers: that wash upon monsoons to prevent river-bed exploitation.

4. Involvement of local people, report hence, more proactive policies can aid proper management of their resources and provide equitable development to backward areas prone to illegal sand mining