Illegal sand mining at Quynh Luu beach

(Baonghean.vn) - The sandy beach of the casuarina forest along the coast plays an important role in blocking waves and storms. However, at the beach of Quynh Tho commune (Quynh Luu), illegal sand digging is heating up, causing anger among the people.

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Recently, people in Quynh Tho commune (Quynh Luu) have been extremely upset about the situation where some people are using excavators and trucks to steal sand from the coastal sandbank in the commune.

Not only small-scale mining, many people also use excavators and cars to mine and transport sand to other places. Photo taken on February 10, 2017 at the coast of Quynh Tho commune (Quynh Luu). Photo: Quynh Viet

Mr. Tran Van Thuong, the head of Tho Thang hamlet (Quynh Tho commune), stood at the beach and said: The previously flat sandy beach has now turned into deep holes. Sand mining has eroded the casuarina forest, and every time the tide rises, the casuarina roots are swept out to sea, and there is a risk of seawater encroaching on the dike to prevent saltwater intrusion at any time.

According to Mr. Thuong, many times people discovered trucks stealing sand and intervened but still could not limit the situation. Currently, there is a phenomenon of illegally scooping sand from the beach to sell everywhere.

Traces of sand theft from the beach in Tho Tien village, Quynh Tho commune (Quynh Luu). Photo: Quynh Viet

It is known that in Quynh Tho commune there is about 1.8 km of coastline. The illegal sand mining situation takes place in 3 hamlets: Tho Tien, Tho Thang and Tho Dong.

According to observations, the current sea level is only about 10 meters from the foot of the sea dike in Tho Thang village and the other side of the sea dike is the place where hundreds of households live and do agricultural production. People also believe that the cars are stealing sand from the sea to sell elsewhere for 200-500 thousand VND/car?

Frequent sand excavation has caused coastal alluvial erosion. Photo: Quynh Viet

This situation has been happening for a long time but local authorities are still unaware.

Mr. Nguyen Van Luc - Chairman of Quynh Tho Commune People's Committee said that the commune has not yet grasped this issue and will establish a team to check and verify the information./.

Quynh Viet