Overrated Credence to the Outdated Sand Mining Legislations - A hydrologically challenged measure

The recent floods in the 'God's own Paradise'(Kerala) reminds the Indian Sub-Continent as well as the Global spectators of not just heavy rainfall but also the 'hungry water effect' from deranged desiltation. Laws from the first decade of independence decide the commercial desiltation permits and procedures in most parts of the country with renewed guidelines. The presentation attempts to map the in-river sand mining in all the Indian States, analyze the spatial extent and technology used, resulting degradation of the completely dug-out rivers, alterations in the geomorphology, base flow and river course, conditional water flow into the distributing channels which tend to stand at a higher surface than the further lowered river bed, impact on the continued cultivation in delta regions triggering the contingencies of extreme drought and flood. Poor and delayed adherence to the ecological economic estimates of this evolving nation and the enviro-legal regime can be traced as barriers of environmental restoration. Rampant dredging often with the under and over utilization of mining techniques, reluctant attitude to alternative construction materials raise serious economic & environmental concerns questioning the future livability of the Sub-continent.