The Korapuzha estuary in Kozhikode, a famous bird sanctuary, is facing an ecological threat due to ongoing dredging in the Korapuzha River. Residents claim that illegal sand mining is being carried out under the guise of permitted dredging along the stretch between the mouth of the Korapuzha River and the Korapuzha Railway Bridge. | Photo credit: K. Ragesh
An expert committee headed by Assistant Collector S. Mohanapriya was appointed to inquire into the complaints about the dredging work in the Korapuzha River. The move follows complaints by residents and political parties that the sand has been mined illegally and sludge dumped unscientifically in nearby areas.
According to official sources, the committee will also include an executive engineer from the irrigation department, a tehsildar and officials from the geology department. A report has been asked to be submitted by February 21 and till then the dredging work will be stopped.
The work carried out by the Irrigation Department covers the stretch between the mouth of the Korapuzha River and the Korapuzha Railway Bridge. It started in 2022. The aim is to remove about two million cubic meters of soil, which poses a problem for fishing boats and leads to flooding in the surrounding areas. Accumulation of silt also reduces the flow of water in the river. The work is taking place at a depth of three and a half meters and a width of 100 to 140 meters from sea level and a length of 1600 meters from the mouth of the estuary in the east.
However, residents claim that sand is extracted from the river indiscriminately. They also claim that the sludge created after sand removal is deposited in nearby areas. Residents and political leaders say water levels in open wells in the area are falling, with salt water found in some water sources.
The work was stopped after the onset of monsoon. When it was restored, residents and political leaders raised complaints. Subsequently, Forest and Wildlife Minister AK Saseendran, who is also the local MLA, and District Collector Snehil Kumar Singh recently met to discuss the issue.
Published – 15 Feb 2026 19:27 IST