Sand ecologies, livelihoods and governance in Asia: A systematic scoping review

Abstract

Sand, gravel, and crushed rock – known as construction aggregates – are in high demand in the Asian region. Such demand is driven by high rates of urbanization, infrastructure development, and dam building: an unprecedented amount of sand is being extracted from the region's river, delta and estuary areas, only to be transported for infill or construction purposes elsewhere. This systematic scoping review examines the state of knowledge in the peer review literature on sand ecologies, livelihoods, and governance in Asia. We find that the literature mainly focuses on the ecological implications of sand mining, namely biotic and abiotic components: sand mining is linked with many forms of ecological degradation, although partial ecosystemic recovery may be possible when sand mining stops. In contrast, the limited analysis on livelihoods suggests that violence, work-related injuries, and precarious jobs are common for those working in the sand industry, with sand mining producing different types of work depending on the level of mechanization. We conclude by noting several gaps in the literature, including the narrow geographical focus (mainly India and China), the lack of attention to the intersection between sand mining and other anthropogenic disturbances, and the need to establish transparent sand governance processes within this region.