About Sand Resource: 

• Sand is the second most exploited natural resource in the world after water (as per the United Nations Environment Programme).
• Main sources: Rivers (riverbed and flood plain), lakes and reservoirs, coastal /marine sand, etc.
• Regulation in India: Sand is a minor minerals under the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act). 
  • The regulation of minor mineral (including control of illegal mining) comes under the legislative and administrative domain of the State Governments.
• Illegal Sand Mining is prevalent in the country mainly due to poor enforcement of regulation (domination of organized crime groups (sand mafias)), lack of sustainable alternatives, etc.

Impacts of Sand Mining:

• Biodiversity- Both, inland and coastal sand mining leads to habitat loss of aquatic (also marine) and terrestrial flora and fauna.
• Hydrological function- Change in water flows, lowering of the water table, also polluting ground water, increase in salinity levels in rivers etc. 
• Infrastructures- Damage to bridges, river embankments and coastal infrastructure. 
• Extreme events- Decline of protection against extreme events such as floods, storm surge etc.