Pavoor Uliya residents stage protest by standing in waters of Nethravati river

'Illegal sand extraction is rampant in the island and is affecting the livelihood of the residents. The area of the island has shrunk,' said Alwyn D'Souza, president of Catholic Sabha.

Mangaluru: Residents of Pavoor-Uliya island, in association with Catholic Sabha, staged a unique protest against illegal sand extraction on Sunday by standing in the waters of the Nethravati River urging the district administration to take steps to check illegal sand extraction to save the island.

The protesters shouted slogans against the mines and geology department and urged DC Mullai Muhilan MP to save the island and its residents. They held placards which read “save Pavoor Uliya residents,” “stop sand mining,” and so on.

On the sidelines of the protest, Alwyn D'Souza, president of Catholic Sabha, expressed displeasure over the mines and geology department officials failing to check the sand extraction. “Illegal sand extraction is rampant in the island and is affecting the livelihood of the residents. The area of the island has shrunk. Despite earlier appeals to the Deputy Commissioner, including a meeting about months ago, the illegal activity continues in the island which comes under Mangalore Assembly constituency represented by Legislative Assembly Speaker UT Khader. No action has been taken to put a halt to the illegal sand extraction,” he alleged.

“We need a permanent solution to redress the problem,” he demanded. Those engaged in illegal sand extraction should be punished.

Pavoor-Uliya, situated around 12 kilometers from Mangaluru and home to over 50 families, is facing concerns due to the illegal sand extraction which is threatening the island’s existence.

It may be recalled that after the media reports highlighted the illegal sand extraction affecting Pavoor Uliya island on June 24, Mines and Geology department team involving senior scientists had carried out an inspection in Pavoor-Uliya island and stated that no illegal sand mining was detected during the visit.