Environmental Impact of Sand Mining in Malir River Bed Karachi, Pakistan

8th International Symposium on Aggregates (2016) Kutahya, Turkey

Abstract

Extraction or mining of sand and gravel from river beds/flood plains plays an important role as
aggregate in construction industries but has placed immense pressure on the environment, where sand and gravel
resources occur. Present study was carried out to determine the environmental effects of sand and gravel mining
in Malir River bed in Karachi. Field work was carried out in the study area to determine the physical
environmental effects of mining. Results show that destruction of landscape, reduction of farm, grazing land and
lowering of water table are the environmental effects that result due to sand and gravel mining in Malir River.
Due to continuous open pit mining of the sand and gravel deposits of more than 100 ft thickness, the underlying
bed rock which is a part of Gaj Formation of Miocene age is exposed on the surface of river bed, which may
destroy the existing aquifer system in near future. Sand mining is widespread and highly unregulated in the Malir
area. It is concluded that the government develops and implements policies designed to protect the environment
around Malir sand and gravel mining areas in Karachi.