Mumbay,Sand mafia stealing beachfront beauty

Mumbay,Sand mafia stealing beachfront beauty-Aline of bullock carts carting sand away is a regular sight for visitors to Alibaug.But not many must have realized that the activity is gradually destroying the tourist spot
Kihim, a narrow beach in Alibaug that is a popular weekend getaway,has already lost much of its beauty.It is full of gaping holes because of indiscriminate sand mining.The story is the same at the Awas and Nandgaon beaches."The mining is done in connivance with local authorities.I have even seen JCBs entering the beach," says a banker who has a bungalow in Mandwa."Soon, no sand will be left in the beaches.Instead,there will be piles of dirt washed ashore."

Environmentalist Sumaira Abdulali,who was sometime ago attacked by the sand mining mafia for stopping trucks carrying sand from Alibaug, said: "The (country's ) western coast is endowed with such natural,sandy beaches. Abroad,they take so much care to preserve beaches.But we just neglect ours."

National sailing champion Shakeel Kudroli, who runs a camp for children every summer in Alibaug, said: "Instead of promoting water sports, which would not only earn revenue, but also improve the health of Mumbaikars, the authorities with their apathy are letting the beaches get destroyed."