UN Released Startling Findings On Sand Extraction. 6 Billion Tons Of Sand Extracted Annually. (Image @GENetwork)

Marine Sand Watch, a platform built by UN Environment Programme”s (UNEP) analytical centre, GRID (Global Resource Information Database) – Geneva, found out information about the starling sand extraction happening around the world. According to UNEP, nearly 6 billion tons of sand and other sediments are extracted annually from seas and oceans of the world.

The Marine Sand Watch platform uses artificial intelligence and automatic signals from ships to track and monitor extraction of sand, clay, rock and gravel. This is the first ever global data platform that tracks and monitors extraction of sand and other sediments.

“The scale of environmental impacts of shallow sea mining activities dredging is alarming, including biodiversity, water turbidity and noise impacts om marine mammals”, Pascal Peduzzi, Director of GRID-Geneva said.

“UNEP invites all stakeholders, member states and dredging sector to consider sand as strategic material, and swiftly engage in talks on how to improve dredging standard around the world”, added Mr. Peduzzi.

Ensuing the launch of Marine Sand Watch, GRID-Geneva will be attending a global consultation with member states to strengthen scientific, technical and policy knowledge on sand and other minerals and metals that are widely extracted.

While countries like Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia banned marine sand exports in the last two decades, others lack any monitoring programmes so far.

With inputs from agencies.