Illegal Sand Extraction Creates "Mino Grand Canyon" in Taiwan; Authorities Launch Crackdown

Taiwanese officials are implementing a multi-pronged strategy to combat illegal sand and gravel extraction that has scarred agricultural land in Kaohsiung's Meinong district.

An illegal operation involving the extraction of sand and gravel from agricultural land has resulted in the creation of a "Grand Canyon" in Taiwan's Meinong district, Kaohsiung. In response, the Kaohsiung City Government has initiated a comprehensive inspection of the affected areas.

Vice Mayor Lin Chin-jung led a joint inspection on the afternoon of the 8th, accompanied by relevant departments, to survey agricultural land in the Xinji Yang and Chenggong sections of Meinong that had been illegally excavated for soil and stone. The city government is deploying a "dense, carpet-style patrol" utilizing administrative measures and departmental authority. This strategy incorporates three key tactics: the implementation of technological enforcement, aerial surveillance using drones, and the monitoring of all access roads to prevent further illicit activities.

Regarding the "Meinong Grand Canyon" case, Lin Chin-jung stated that the city government will continue to cooperate with judicial investigations. Furthermore, all relevant departments are immediately executing their assigned tasks across the stages of prevention, response, and recovery, ensuring diligent efforts are made.

The city government has launched a "dense, carpet-style patrol." The Environmental Protection Bureau, Agriculture Bureau, Land Administration Bureau, and Economic Development Bureau are increasing the frequency of joint inspections. The Police Bureau will install additional surveillance cameras at key intersections in the affected areas to prevent illegal dumping of waste into the excavated pits.

The Agriculture Bureau and Land Administration Bureau will conduct irregular aerial surveys using drones. Any non-agricultural structures, such as those enclosed by black netting, will be subject to mandatory demolition. This strict oversight from the source aims to eradicate illegal soil and stone extraction from agricultural land.

The Economic Development Bureau reported that this year, based on notifications from the Police Bureau or citizen complaints via 1999, six instances of illegal sand and gravel extraction from agricultural land in Meinong have been investigated. The city government has imposed heavy fines on all these cases in accordance with the Soil and Stone Mining Act. Those who fail to complete the backfilling and restoration within the stipulated period will be proactively referred to the District Prosecutors Office for investigation, with no leniency shown.

The Kaohsiung City Government emphasized its commitment to ongoing cooperation with prosecutors to jointly investigate and prosecute illegal soil and stone extraction activities. Joint inspections will be conducted in key areas such as Meinong, Liugui, Shanlin, and Cishan, with strict investigations and prosecutions. The Economic Development Bureau will also continue to urge the central government to expedite amendments to the Soil and Stone Mining Act, incorporating criminal liability to effectively deter such offenses.