In 2008, the Sri Lanka Water Partnership (SLWP) and the Water Integrity Network (WIN) joined forces to fight illicit and unregulated river sand mining. They produced an integrated package of activities, including awareness programmes, brochures, posters, and a documentary [1].

Illegal sand mining contributes to the collapse of riverbanks and lowers water tables, drastically affecting ecosystems, community water supplies and the livelihoods of fishermen. Erosion undermines bridges and irrigation infrastructure, productive land is lost and stagnant water breeds disease.

The campaigns against illegal sand mining is beginning to show results. On 12 February 2009, the Daily Mirror reported the arrest of seven illegal sand miners by Bingiriya police. In a separate article on the same day, the paper reported that more stringent laws against illegal sand mining are to be introduced in order to protect the environment.

[1] Sri Lanka Water Partnership (SLWP) web site

Related news: Corruption in the water sector: overlooked threat for development and sustainability, Source, 18 Aug 2008

Related web site:Water Integrity Network

Source: GWP, 18 Feb 2009

Tags: south asia, transparency, water and livelihoods, water resources management