ISSUE: ILLEGAL BLACK SAND MINING

Saving the environment is not just an issue anymore. It is a survival truth. We need to come together and join hands to protect what is left of our planet specifically in our locality so that the future is not wiped out before it’s time for a curtain call.

Impacts of sand mining can be broadly classified into three categories:

Physical
The large-scale extraction of streambed materials, mining and dredging below the existing streambed, and the alteration of channel-bed form and shape leads to several impacts such as erosion of channel bed and banks, increase in channel slope, and change in channel morphology. These impacts may cause: (1) the undercutting and collapse of river banks, (2) the loss of adjacent land and/or structures, (3) upstream erosion as a result of an increase in channel slope and changes in flow velocity, and (4) downstream erosion due to increased carrying capacity of the stream, downstream changes in patterns of deposition, and changes in channel bed and habitat type.

Water Quality
Mining and dredging activities, poorly planned to stockpile, and uncontrolled dumping of overburden and chemical/fuel spills will cause reduced water quality for downstream users, increased cost for downstream water treatment plants, and the poisoning of aquatic life.

Ecological
Mining which leads to the removal of channel substrate, resuspension of streambed sediment, clearance of vegetation, and stockpiling on the streambed, will have ecological impacts. These impacts may have an effect on the direct loss of stream reserve habitat, disturbances of species attached to streambed deposits, reduced light penetration, reduced primary production and reduced feeding opportunities.

Source: https://bit.ly/3lIZaq0

We, Filipinos are used to "to see is to believe". Sand mining is not only happening in our town, we have several of these across the country but when are we going to act? The other parts of our country have already experienced its detrimental effect. See the article How black sand mining caused the sea to swallow a village (https://bit.ly/2Kihngh

Save the environment to save LIFE!