The "root" of illegal sand mining
(Baonghean) -For many years now, the illegal exploitation, transportation and trading of sand and gravel from riverbeds in our province has been a "hot" topic, causing public outrage. Faced with the negative impacts of illegal sand and gravel exploitation, at the end of March, the provincial police mobilized a large force of officers and soldiers to fight against "sand bandits" in Tan Ky district and achieved remarkable results.
However, in addition to the suppression of "sand bandits", there have been problems that need to be solved soon. That is the problem of solving the increasing demand for sand and gravel in the construction of public works and civil works; that is the problem of employment and income of a part of the people... These problems are real, and have been shown in a number of reports of the authorities of districts, cities and towns after they implemented the direction of the Provincial People's Committee on strengthening the management of exploration, exploitation, transportation and trading of river sand and gravel according to Official Dispatch No. 1238/VPCP - KTN dated February 7, 2013 of the Government. It can be cited as Que Phong district stated: "... Que Phong currently has many civil works and public works of projects (134, 135, 30a...) being implemented.
However, in the district, there is no enterprise with enough capacity (finance, machinery, equipment...) to apply for a sand and gravel mine. Therefore, the suspension of sand mining groups has caused certain difficulties in terms of construction materials in the area...". Meanwhile, Nghia Dan district pointed out the reason for the complicated situation in sand and gravel mining in the riverbed in the area: "... Up to now, in the district, there is only one unit licensed to exploit sand and gravel, but the exploitation license has expired since June 18, 2009, so the amount of sand and gravel used as construction materials in the past has not met the construction needs of organizations and individuals in the area as well as neighboring areas...". Nam Dan is one of the districts with many business locations and many illegal sand and gravel mining ships, pointing out some advantages such as: "... Providing construction materials for people in the district, Vinh City and neighboring areas; Solving employment for family workers and being the main source of income for households with business ports and fishing boats...".
According to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment - the agency assigned by the Provincial People's Committee to advise on the organization and implementation of the work of strengthening the management of exploration, exploitation, transportation and trading of river sand and gravel - the demand for sand and gravel in construction is very large, but in the province there are very few organizations and individuals licensed to exploit sand and gravel while in reality it is quite large... From the above information and from practice, it can be seen that the management of sand and gravel minerals still has shortcomings, and this is a major cause leading to the increase in illegal exploitation and trading of river sand and gravel and causing difficulties in the prevention and handling process of functional agencies and localities.
Where there is “demand”, there will be “supply”. The government needs to address the urgent needs of society for sand and gravel by conducting surveys, explorations, and detailed planning of sand and gravel mines; granting licenses to qualified organizations and individuals to organize exploitation and business... These are things that need to be done soon. And, this will be a measure to deal with the root cause of “sand bandits”.
Nhat Lan
