Geo-Political Analysis of Illegal Sand Mining and its Impact on Human Health and Livelihood Sustainability in Bhikhna Thori, Bihar

Abstract

Sand plays a unique role in infrastructure development and generates employment opportunities and revenue for the government and other stakeholders. It is considered wealth in the backward regions of Bihar because the state lacks mineral resources; hence, sand has become an important part of the economy for local people living in the foothills or on the riverbanks. Illegal and uncontrolled sand mining in riverbeds in the Tarai is now cited as the major cause of flood havoc in the study area and of revenue losses for the Bihar government. This paper examines the political ecology of illegal sand mining, the role of money and muscle, the role of local administration, and its adverse impact on the ecology. The study found that the administration must control and eliminate illegal mining to protect the ecology and minimise havoc like frequent floods.