India's rapid urbanisation as led to a surge in demand in sand for construction and beautification; alongside there is now a rocketing illegal sand trading business. We never get a moment’s peace.” However, the tonnes of sand being carted away are a crucial part of India's coastal ecosystems which also protect their coastal towns from wind and waves. The sand on the shores and riverbeds are also rich in minerals that are essential for vegetation and farming in India. A recent study by scientists at the University of California, Santa Barbara, found that the amount of sand removed annually was equivalent to about one third of all annual rainfall in India - enough to fill Lake Erie. For some townsfolk, the sand trade provides jobs and livelihoods, however for others it is destroying their towns, which has led to violent clashes between the residents.
India's rapid urbanisation as led to a surge in demand in sand for construction and beautification; alongside there is now a rocketing illegal sand trading business. However, the tonnes of sand being carted away are a crucial part of India's coastal ecosystems which also protect their coastal towns from wind and waves. The sand on the shores and riverbeds are also rich in minerals that are essential for vegetation and farming in India. A recent study by scientists at the University of California, Santa Barbara, found that the amount of sand removed annually was equivalent to about one third of all annual rainfall in India - enough to fill Lake Erie. For some townsfolk, the sand trade provides jobs and livelihoods, however for others it is destroying their towns, which has led to violent clashes between the residents.