Sustainable pathways for rural sand mining: Integrating socioeconomic resilience, financial viability and environmental stewardship in Badulu Oya, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Sand mining is a prominent livelihood strategy in rural Sri Lanka, particularly in the Badulu Oya region. While it provides essential income for local communities, unregulated practices have resulted in significant environmental degradation and institutional challenges. This study explores the socioeconomic, financial, and environmental dimensions of sand mining through a qualitative approach, supported by GIS-based land use/land cover (LULC) analysis between 2016 and 2024. Findings reveal that sand mining remains a profitable but precarious livelihood, constrained by seasonal variability, licensing delays, and limited alternative employment. Workers face exposure to health risks due to polluted water, while gendered labor roles and bureaucratic inefficiencies undermine equitable participation. Financially, the sector offers high returns relative to rural alternatives, yet profitability is offset by rising costs and regulatory limitations. Environmentally, the activity has accelerated riverbank erosion, biodiversity loss, and land degradation. Governance remains fragmented, with gaps in enforcement, public engagement, and data-driven resource management. This study proposes a six-point framework for sustainable rural sand mining, grounded in both stakeholder insights and GIS-based environmental change analysis. Furthermore, the study reframes sand mining as a rural governance issue, linking informal labor, environmental vulnerability, and institutional fragmentation. These contributions provide methodological and conceptual insights applicable to other Global South regions. These findings underscore the need for integrated rural governance that aligns environmental stewardship with socioeconomic resilience.