Illegal Sand Mining Threatens Injambakkam Dunes Despite Coastal Regulation

Illegal sand mining is reportedly destroying sand dunes along Injambakkam beach, near VGP theme park, in violation of coastal regulation zone (CRZ) rules. Social worker I H Sekar, who raised concerns, alleges that excavation has stripped dunes for 100 meters along the shore. “I filed a complaint with Neelankarai (J8) police after witnessing sand being sold at ₹200 per load. After confronting them, I received death threats,” he shared.

In May, the National Green Tribunal barred the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) from disturbing Injambakkam dunes, requiring permissions from the Union Government or the State Coastal Zone Management Authority before any alterations. However, CMDA member secretary Anshul Mishra denies involvement, stating, “The planning agency did not disrupt dunes. To counter illegal mining, we’re planning beach rejuvenation initiatives.”

CMDA’s beach rejuvenation project has received preliminary approval from the Blue Flag council for five city beaches, including Injambakkam and Akkarai, with a government order (GO) expected shortly.

Sand dunes play a critical role in coastal protection, as Ramasubramanian R., a coastal systems expert at the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, explains. “Dunes prevent coastal erosion and protect against saline water intrusion in aquifers. Over three decades, the city’s dunes have largely disappeared, leaving coastlines vulnerable.” Historical erosion issues, like those on Pattinapakkam beach, have further underlined the dunes’ importance.

Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), responsible for city beaches, has pledged to investigate. “We will verify these claims and take necessary action,” said GCC’s Sholinganallur zonal officer D. Rajasekar. GCC has previously removed encroachments from Besant Nagar’s Arupadai Veedu Murugan Temple beach to maintain coastal areas.