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$15 eBook only
67 readers
If you like to curl up with your Kindle, get yourself an eBook of Sand Stories at a discounted price. Simple, convenient and quick! For a limited period only.
Ebook included
$20 Limited Offer Sold out
50 readers
You'll get one copy of Sand Stories in print and ebook form, plus you’ll get exclusive access to updates and an invite to join the Sand Stories community. *This bonus is limited to the first 50 readers.
1 copy + ebook included
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0 of 50 left
$25 VIP
45 readers
You'll get one signed & personalised copy of Sand Stories in print and ebook form, plus you’ll get exclusive access to updates and an invite to join the Sand Stories community.
1 copy + ebook included
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$59 Cool Cat
20 readers
You'll get 3 signed & personalised copies in print, ebook AND audiobook form + a HUGE thanks from me in the acknowledgements section. In addition, you will get a cool, lightweight aluminium water bottle that you take along to the beach or your next hike.
3 copies + ebook included
Free shipping
$99 A Behind-the-scenes Video
6 readers
You'll receive 5 copies of my book, signed & personalised, plus your name in the book as a sand supporter. You’ll also get exclusive access to an hour-long video. If you've ever thought of writing a book, allow me to shorten the learning curve and help you get started on making your dream come true too. This video will reveal behind-the-scenes stories of the creative process from both the first-time-author's perspective as well as the artist's perspective.
5 copies + ebook included
Free shipping
$299 SANDBOX
4 readers
You'll receive 15 copies of my book, signed & personalised, plus your name in the book as a sand supporter. You will receive the video from the previous bonus. In addition, I will assemble a surprise box, full of items that I find interesting, fascinating and inspiring. Example items range from favourite books/DVDs to nourishing teas.
15 copies + ebook included
Free shipping
$500 Fine-dining in London with Kiran
1 reader
You want this book to reach a group of people and contribute to this campaign in a big way! You'll receive 25 copies of Sand Stories, get recognized on the first page as a Patron, and also get any of the above bonuses. As a special thanks, I will also organise a dinner for you and a guest at a fine London based restaurant. We can talk Sand Stories, artwork, travel, or whatever else you'd like. Excludes travel.
25 copies + ebook included
Free shipping
$1000 Sand Patron + Premium Artwork
0 readers
This is where the numbers start to become BIG. You'll be considered a sand hero ;) You'll receive 50 copies of the book and get recognized on the first page as a Patron.
As a special recognition, you will receive an original artwork replication (chosen from three print designs) from the illustrator behind the cover and art in Sand Stories, Michelle Bauer. Michelle is a very talented artist based in Switzerland. Her support has been invaluable throughout this journey.
50 copies + ebook included
Free shipping
$1500 Online Lecture
0 readers
This is for sustainability-focused organizations, small groups or interested private individuals who want to help spread the word and become Patrons of Sand Stories.
You'll receive 75 copies of the book and get recognized on the first page as a Patron + get a 1-hour online lecture on sand-related issues followed by a 30 minute Q&A portion.
75 copies + ebook included
Free shipping
$1800 Professional Photoshoot & Corporate Video
2 readers
You'll receive 90 copies of Sand Stories and get recognised on the first page as a Patron. In addition, you will get a professional photo shoot and a corporate video from www.paulcapelliphotography.com for a key event or for your marketing requirements. Includes the photographer's travel and shooting for 1 day anywhere in Europe.
90 copies + ebook included
Free shipping
$2400 Hire to Speak!
0 readers
Hire me to speak at your event and I'll bring 120 copies with me for you and your guests to take home.
I will share both heartbreaking and heart-warming sand stories. We'll talk about wars between the Davids and Goliaths of our world, the Geopolitics of Sand and how we need to design solutions with women in mind.
120 copies + ebook included
Free shipping
$5000 All Inclusive Weekend
0 readers
Ok, here is where you'll officially become a sand saint ;) You will have my gratitude forever and 250 books to distribute to your community.
I will organise an all-inclusive weekend of discovery for you in Northern Ireland. We will spend time doing nice things such as visiting The Giant's Causeway, a World Heritage Site. We will also visit another gem, Lough Neagh. It is the biggest freshwater lake in Britain. To put it in perspective, Lough Neagh is bigger than Malta and it is designated as a European Special Protection Area.
Unfortunately, this Jewel is threatened by unlawful sand extraction. To give you an idea of the scale, the sand extracted from it in one year could fill over 10,000 volleyball courts. We will meet a community deeply impacted by this activity.
For more information about Lough Neagh visit: https://friendsoftheearth.uk/northern-ireland/lough-neagh-why-europes-wildlife-jewel-needs-space-breathe
Includes travel from mainland Europe or UK for 1 person.
250 copies + ebook included
Free shipping
About the Most Consumed Commodity on Earth
Sand Stories sheds light on why sand is the most consumed commodity on Earth. It examines the problems caused by indiscriminate mining across the world and offers potential solutions.
Share Post on X Threads LinkedIn EmbedScience Environment | |
60,000 words | |
50% complete | |
19 publishers interested |
Sand has always been perceived to be a symbol of abundance in many cultures. It is popularly believed to be both renewable as well as inexhaustible. This book will challenge that perception and draw the reader's attention to a common yet surprising phenomenon of the scarcity of sand as a resource. From glass to urban infrastructure, from silicon chips to pharmaceutical products, sand is used in mind-boggling volumes. But extensive consumption has resulted in several social, environmental, economic and geopolitical impacts across the globe. Although specific industries have already begun to find alternatives due to shortage of sand, the gravity of the situation hasn't percolated into the mainstream yet. This book attempts to fill that void and make the subject readily accessible to those who wish to delve deeper. The language used in the book is not academic although reference is made to available literature.
I grew up in Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of India. As the city grew exponentially, I recall reading numerous newspaper reports about rivers being damaged due to incessant sand mining, yet I remember seeing miles and miles of sand laden trucks along highways. The topic always surfaced whenever there was a particularly serious problem but then receded in the media's eternal quest for new stories. From 2010 - 2011, I did a Masters in Environment and Development from King's College, London and I chose sand mining as the topic for my dissertation. After graduation, I continued to research and write blogs to raise awareness about this pressing environmental issue.
I believe I am the right person to write this book because of my wide variety of skills, experiences, and demonstrated passion. My forthcoming book will re-examine the way our society engages and deals with sand as a resource. Most importantly this book will bring a unique 'join-the-dots' perspective to the subject as it connects today's problems with potential solutions. Together with you, I hope Sand Stories will be another step towards creating greater global awareness and advancing a platform for change in our lifetime.
This book is written particularly for those who are passionate about topics related to the environment and sustainability. It is a surprising inquiry into the production of a resource that is often taken for granted - sand. Sand is the world's most overused, yet undervalued resource after fresh water. Even though sand is part of nearly every square metre of what we see in our cities, it is truly the forgotten foundation of modernity.
A brief introductory video from Al Jazeera English
This is what Dr. David Tickner, Chief Freshwater Advisor WWF-UK had to say about the topic on Twitter:
"#Sand might well be the biggest, least well known environmental issue on the planet. Huge implications for #cities, #finance, #rivers, #coasts, #crime"
There is much to be said and much more to be learned. My book is an attempt to humanise our ceaseless demand for sand. It will appeal to anyone who self-identifies as an eco-conscious individual. In addition, professionals such as Architects, Urban Planners, Landscape Architects, Civil Engineers, Geologists, Environmental Lawyers, Water Sector Professionals, Coastal Engineers and Professionals working in the Sustainability Sector would also find it interesting.
Although the term 'Sustainable Development' is highly contested, the concept of sustainability is becoming more important by the day. The UN has chosen 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. In our resource-constrained world, what were once simply 'externalities' are fast becoming material. In their article in the Harvard Business Review, Lubin and Esty (2010) have proposed that sustainability is an emerging megatrend. This presents a huge challenge as well as a great opportunity. Since the key focus of the book remains on solutions, it would appeal to Change-Makers, Activists, Journalists, as well as Entrepreneurs working on green solutions.
Social Media is a key part of my campaign. I post regularly on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus as well as LinkedIn. I have an active website with a growing community of subscribers. I plan to reach out to key audiences through various groups on facebook and yahoo. I am also in talks with a few in the teaching community to use the book in their curriculum.
I have invites to speak at conferences as well as editorial articles and guest posts in the pipeline. Once the book is completed, I plan to host live events as well as virtual summits to bring together a diverse set of stakeholders and spark conversations around the book.
With the right publisher, we will work together to leverage my social capital and your marketing resources to ensure the book reaches the widest and most relevant audience.
Book 1:
Book 2:
Book 3:
Black Rose Writing
500 copies • Partial manuscript • Looking for fiction, non-fiction, and children's book genres, all having one thing in common: an individual's originality and hardship. Traditional publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Sports & Outdoors United Kingdom, United States, Canada |
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Blue River Press
500 copies • Partial manuscript • Looking for non-fiction and fiction sports, health, fitness, education, games, popular culture, and travel. Traditional publisher Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Travel Worldwide |
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Imagine, a Charlesbridge imprint
500 copies • Completed manuscript • Looking for children's, history, women's studies, gender studies, multicultural studies, politics, nature and the environment, health, and wellness. Traditional publisher Literary Essay, Mind & Body, Art & Photography, Biography & Memoir, Biography & Memoir, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Communication Skills, Corporate Culture, Current Affairs, Economics, Entrepreneurship & Small Business, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, History, Illustrated Books, Journalism, LGBT Non-Fiction, Management & Leadership, Nature & Environment, Philosophy, Politics & Social Sciences, Politics & Social Sciences, Popular Science, Psychology, Science, Science, Society & Culture, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel United States |
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Sunbury Press
250 copies • Partial manuscript. Traditional publisher Literary Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mind & Body, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Pennsylvania |
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Anaphora Literary Press
250 copies • Partial manuscript. Hybrid publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide |
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Austin Macauley
250 copies • Completed manuscript • Looking historical romances, celebrity autobiographies, illustrated children’s tales, in-depth technical manuals, hard-hitting thrillers, meditative poetry. Hybrid publisher Children Fiction, Children Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mythology & Folk Tales, Romantic Fiction, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Women's Fiction, YA Fiction, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Business & Money, Career & Success, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Communication Skills, Entrepreneurship & Small Business, Health, Fitness & Dieting, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, History, Humor & Entertainment, Journalism, Journalism, Mindfulness & Happiness, Motivation & Inspiration, Nature & Environment, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Philosophy, Politics & Social Sciences, Politics & Social Sciences, Popular Science, Productivity & Time Management, Religion & Spirituality, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Science, Sex & Relationships, Society & Culture, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Technology & the Future, Travel, Travel, YA Non-Fiction, Science Fiction & Humour United Kingdom, United States, Australia |
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Cranthorpe Millner
250 copies • Partial manuscript. Hybrid publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mind & Body, Mind & Body, Romantic Fiction, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Biography & Memoir, Health, Fitness & Dieting, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, History, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Science, Science, Sports & Outdoors, Sports & Outdoors, Travel, Travel United Kingdom, United States, Canada |
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Isabella Media Inc
250 copies • Completed manuscript. Hybrid publisher Children Fiction, Christian Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Business & Money, Career & Success, Communication Skills, Corporate Culture, Education, Entrepreneurship & Small Business, Health, Fitness & Dieting, Illustrated Books, Management & Leadership, Marketing & Sales, Mindfulness & Happiness, Motivation & Inspiration, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences Worldwide |
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Koehler Books
250 copies • Completed manuscript. Hybrid publisher Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBT Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mind & Body, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Women's Fiction, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Communication Skills, Corporate Culture, Management & Leadership, Marketing & Sales, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Sex & Relationships, Sports & Outdoors, Science Fiction & Humour Worldwide |
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Next Chapter
250 copies • Completed manuscript. Hybrid publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide |
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Prodigy Gold Books
The History Hybrid publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide |
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1106 Design, LLC
Dear Author, Service publisher Children Fiction, Christian Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Essay, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mythology & Folk Tales, Poetry, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Women's Fiction, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Children Non-Fiction, Christian Non-Fiction, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Communication Skills, Corporate Culture, Current Affairs, Economics, Education, Entrepreneurship & Small Business, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Humor & Entertainment, Journalism, Management & Leadership, Marketing & Sales, Mindfulness & Happiness, Money & Investment, Motivation & Inspiration, Nature & Environment, Parenting, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Philosophy, Politics & Social Sciences, Popular Science, Productivity & Time Management, Psychology, Reference, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Sex & Relationships, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel, YA Non-Fiction, Science Fiction & Humour Worldwide |
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Atmosphere Press
250 copies • Partial manuscript. Service publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide |
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Authors Unite
250 copies • Partial manuscript. Service publisher Children Fiction, Christian Fiction, Comics & Graphic Novels, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBT Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mind & Body, Mythology & Folk Tales, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Women's Fiction, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Children Non-Fiction, Christian Non-Fiction, Communication Skills, Corporate Culture, Crafts & Hobbies, Creativity, Current Affairs, Economics, Education, Entrepreneurship & Small Business, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Humor & Entertainment, Journalism, LGBT Non-Fiction, Management & Leadership, Marketing & Sales, Mindfulness & Happiness, Money & Investment, Motivation & Inspiration, Nature & Environment, Parenting, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Philosophy, Politics & Social Sciences, Popular Science, Productivity & Time Management, Psychology, Reference, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Sex & Relationships, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel, YA Non-Fiction, Science Fiction & Humour Worldwide |
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Bookmobile
100 copies • Partial manuscript. Service publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide |
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eBooks2go
100 copies • Completed manuscript. Service publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide |
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Gladiator Publishing Company
Gladiator Publishing Co. has held a reputation in the Literary Industry for nearly 100 Years as a Writer-Loyal company. Nearly 100-years later, Gladiator Publishing Company still maintains that strong characteristic. We place our Authors publications first and foremost. You may hear many other "Publishing entities" state that they are "the first" to do this or the "originator/pioneer" of that. If everyone is using the same marketing, promotional, and advertising pipelines what makes them so original? Service publisher All categories United States |
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Happy Self Publishing
100 copies • Completed manuscript. Service publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide |
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ShieldCrest Publishing
ShieldCrest are book publishers based in the UK who fill that vital gap for talented authors where mainstream publishers are unwilling to give them that chance. We strive for excellence and invest in our authors and are listed in FreeIndex as the number one independent publisher in the UK for price quality and service rated author satisfaction. We publish books of all genres including; fiction, historical, biographies and children's books. Service publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide |
Bhaskar Rao Patil looks weary as he talks about his experience with declining catches over the last few years. He is the president of the fishermen’s colony in Bankot, a small fishing village near Mumbai on the Western coast of India. The lines on his face tell the story of his life. His hands are calloused, gnarled and strong. One can tell that he has seen better days. His clothes look clean but threadbare. Seated in very modest surroundings along with a few other fishermen, he talks wistfully about bygone days, while the others nod in agreement. “Gone are the days when we could fish easily. We could catch 50 pamplets (the local term for pomfrets, a high value catch) in one hour. Today it’s hard to find 5 even if we fish for the whole day. In the past, five people depended on one boat but today one boat can support only one to two people. Our life is under pressure.” His deep-set eyes turn to the horizon far away. He points to the dredgers and the big barges in the distant part of the river. They are his nemesis. The barges are filled to the brim with sand, a commodity that is dredged up from the rivers and transported to the trucks waiting along the banks. He explains how the local fishermen today live in constant fear for their livelihood because of them..
From a distance, the dredgers and barges look pretty harmless, but, they’re destroying the livelihood of these fishermen and many others in the region. Up close, the barges look big enough to hold about 10 to 20 boats of these fishermen. And when they are filled to the brim with wet sand, no prizes for guessing who wins if they crash into small boats of simple fisher folk. The fishermen say accidents happen fairly often and their nets too are frequently damaged but local officials are unwilling to register complaints against the barges as they are owned by ‘Big hands’ (i.e. elites). It feels like a losing battle for these local fishermen. They are up against a powerful, wealthy, well-connected and sometimes ruthless politician-builder nexus. The dredgers use suction pumps to suck up as much sand as they can, all of which is headed to the construction industry in Mumbai, the financial hub of the country. The commodity they take away to build a thriving city is the very lifeblood of these fishermen’s livelihood.
Fishing is a seasonal occupation here as one cannot fish in the monsoon season which lasts from June to August. What the fishermen earn in three to five months of the fishing season is what they and their families have to survive on for the rest of the year. But seasons don’t matter to the dredgers and barges. They operate non-stop, all year round, shipping away precious sand to more profitable places. Most of the fishermen in these communities are illiterate. The few that can read and write have only completed primary education and most aren’t trained on any other income-generating skills. In the absence of alternate employment, they have to depend on money-lenders and fish traders to survive the lean period and this keeps them in a state of perpetual indebtedness. As the talk continues, Bhaskar Rao Patil’s wife Kanti Bai enters the room with a tray of steaming hot tea and some snacks. She chips in with her part of the story. The women of the village play an equal role in society in these villages. The men fish, but it is the women who sell the fish in the markets. With tears gleaming in her eyes she says “We’d like to send our children to good schools but we hardly make any money to spare these days.”
Rampant illegal sand mining has resulted in falling fish stocks because dredging destroys the spawning habitat of the fish and muddies the water. As a result, only a few of the most resilient of fish are able to survive and they are not as profitable for the fishermen. When their boats are damaged by the barges, they are often unable to get bank loans to repair or replace them without a registered police complaint and lack of collateral property. So it drives them deeper into poverty. These people have been fishermen for generations and they know their river like the back of their hand. But sand mining is soon making their traditional knowledge obsolete. Indiscriminate sand mining makes rivers more violent as it deepens river channels and causes erosion of riverbanks. With families to feed and fewer fish left in the rivers, the fishermen are forced to head deeper towards the sea. But they are ill-equipped for the dangers this presents and they face a double whammy. Out in deeper waters, the tides have almost doubled in height, thanks to land reclamation around Mumbai. These fishermen are completely out of their depth in these waters and the only skills they have are rendered inadequate.
It is said that Jesus called his disciples and made them fishers of men. But here around Mumbai, with no leader to show them a way, 80,000 fishermen have turned to fishing for sand. They know for certain that their actions ensure their children will never be able to fish in these waters. At least not the kind of fish they used to catch. They know their identity and way of life is at stake. But that seems to be the only way they can feed their families. They pin their hopes instead on getting their children educated and sending them to the cities so they will never have to live a life of such hardship. For now, they are able to get by. The demand for sand has been increasing.
Mumbai, a city that never sleeps and never stops. With an urban population pegged at just over 22 million, it is the most populated city in India and the eighth most populated city in the world. The massive growth in population has occurred over a relatively short time span though. In 1991, the city had just 9.9 million people. Nearly half of the influx has been due to the search for better employment prospects. The number of super-rich too has increased exponentially. Across 25 global cities, Mumbai has witnessed the highest growth in the number of Ultra-High Networth Individuals over the last decade. The world’s most expensive home (at the time of completion) - Antilia , 27 storeys tall, with 3 helipads, underground parking for 160 cars and a staff of 600 people to maintain the house can be found here. It is named after a mythical island in the Atlantic. For the owner, it was the fulfilment of a long-cherished dream. Mumbai after all is the ‘City of Dreams’ and millions flock to the city hoping for a chance at a better life. It plays host to a wide range of industries right from manufacturing to cutting-edge technology and houses 2 major stock exchanges. The Headquarters of many Multi-National Companies and large Indian companies are based here. The city is also a hub for cultural export in the form of the thriving Bollywood industry. Mumbai alone is responsible for over 6% of India’s GDP. The ports too are a critical part of its success. There is no dearth of jobs or talent in Mumbai. But there is one thing it is short of.
Space. This is its most precious commodity. A prominent journalist Bachi Karkaria says the built environment has increased fourfold since 1925 – and at its fastest rate over the past 30 years – all at the cost of green cover and wetlands. She writes ‘There’s less than 0.03 acres of open space per 1,000 people. The global norm is four; London has a profligate 12.’ Most of the working class lives in Chawls. These are multi-level tenements with small single rooms (usually used by a whole family) with a shared bathroom for each floor. Middle-class families on the other hand, live in one or two bedroom apartments. A luxury in comparison, but it is still a tight squeeze. Affordable housing is in dire shortage. In the rest of the country, people manage to buy their own homes by their mid 30s. But here in Mumbai, people work well into their late 40s or 50s before they can pay off the mortgages on their homes. The demand is so huge that the government simply cannot keep pace and they turn to the private sector for help. Naturally, developers are hungry for as much sand as they can get. But for various reasons, sand is in short supply. They blame the politicians and the environmental lobby. ‘Roti, Kapda, aur Makaan (loosely translated as food, clothes and shelter) is the dream of every citizen’ says Satish (name changed), the director of a successful construction firm. ‘How can you deprive them of this dream? It is easy to ban anything but it’s important to provide alternatives.’
‘In thirty years of my career, I have never heard of such a thing. Shortage of sand?!’, he snorts incredulously. ‘It’s not that there is no sand. This is all just a ploy to make you pay more’, he says. To Satish and his colleagues, the hullabaloo around the supply of sand makes no sense. They are more than sceptical and they harbour a deep mistrust. To them, sand is abundantly available and they feel the whole situation has just been engineered to create an artificial shortage. Once the prices go up by more than hundred percent, they never come back to the original price. Instead, they settle at about sixty-seventy percent of the previous price and that then becomes the new norm. ‘In the end, it is the consumer who pays the price. I run a business, not a charity. I simply have to pass on the costs to the customers.’
On the condition of anonymity, he talks at length about how developers are forced to buy sand from certain suppliers. He talks about how each region is controlled by powerful vested interests. ‘You can buy sand from elsewhere but you still have to pay these guys if you want your consignment to actually reach you. So in the end, you might as well buy from them.’ In sticky situations, some developers compromise on the quality of materials he says while others like him compromise on the price. ‘Sand used to be about 4-5% of the project cost. Now it is about 20% of the cost. We don’t worry about cement anymore. We worry about sand. Cement, you can pay and tomorrow you will get it. Sand - you will not. The sand supplier used to be the last person who would get paid. We used to stock sand outside and when it rained, it would often wash away. Not anymore.’ Reports indicate that sand is in such short supply that the Government has had to import sand from Indonesia and the Philippines.
While developers come to terms with the new reality, the government is working hard to promote affordable housing. The Mumbai Development Plan 2034 suggests that it intends to make additional land resources available for development by changing No Development Zones that include salt pan lands and coastal wetlands where scores of migratory birds seek refuge in the summer. Fierce protests are on to save eco-sensitive zones such as Aarey Forest that once used to be a part of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. But many Mumbaikars have no time for this debate. With exhausting commutes and long work hours, all they want is ‘Roti, Kapda aur Makaan’ and some fun along the way. A Mumbaikar friend explains. ‘Yaar (my friend), people buy apartments like they buy a pizza. You don’t care about what goes into it as long as it looks great’.
Dear campaign supporter,
Hope you are well. It gives me great pleasure to share with you a video of the very first print proofs that …
It's still World Water Day here in the UK and I am very happy that we reached a key milestone on this day. A HUGE thank you …
Best of luck dear:)
Success my dear :*
Best of luck and thank you for working on such an important topic!
Congrats!! wishing you the best!
Good luck Kiran! I think you for bringing awareness on the sand issue xx
This will be a seminal book about an urgent issue that is rarely talked about. Well done for being a pioneer expert on sand stories, Kiran! Very much looking forward to reading the finished product.
Done, Kiran. All the very best in your efforts. Regards, ck
Any friend of Kenda's . . .
Well done, Kiran! .... looking forward to reading more.
Hi Kiran!
Go ahead! Let the world be better place to live!
Juri
Congratulations on your book and all the best of luck in getting it published.
Congratulations Kiran, way to go.
Fascinating! Best of luck with your campaign. I will spread the word. Peggy (colleague of Kenda Cunningham)
good luck, cooks.
Fantastic to see this out there Kiran - well done for bringing this subject to everyone's attention! Best wishes, Allison
Thankyou for keeping inspiring us! Great work! Look forwards to reading, lots of love Marta and Ben
Great work!!! Keep it up!!/
All the best and hope you tell a story to change and save our lives
All the best Cooks xx
congratulations! cannot wait to "dig" into this
Can't wait to read the book Kiran! Best wishes! xx
All the best Kiran! - Shubha
It looks like an interesting read, I'm excited to start :)
God Speed Kiran, people like you are then ones that make it happen. Way to go...
All the best Kiran... God Bless.
You are such an amazing woman Kiran, way to go girl! Can't wait to read your book! G.
Great work Kiran. God bless you for the good work.
We are so proud of you Kiran.
Well done Kiran!! All the best!!
Wish you all the best Kiran. God bless you.
Your commitment is admirable, all the best for your project x
Kiran I wish you the very best. I know how hard you have worked on this subject.
Good Luck with the result sales.
All the best
Best wishes Kiran
You deserve so much to get published!!! All the best for your campaign!! Fingers crossed, I'm sure you're going to make it!!!
Really looking forward to reading! It's definitely an issue we need to get out to the world
Best of luck. Keep the momentum going.
Done! Best wishes
Great to see you emerge as an author to reckon with. Knowing the effort and focus you conscientiously bring to your endeavours, I know this book will be not just informative and relevant but a great read as well!
All th best Kiran! Am sure this book will be a best seller!
Just pre-booked a copy. Will tell friends also
Wish you all the very best with your first publication. :)
Manisha
Good job! Looking forward to read the book
Amazing campaign Kiran -- can't wait to read this
Best wishes Kiran :) Looking forward to read the full book and collaborate with you in future.
Super proud of you....Congratulations and wishing you the very best....God bless!
Regards
Sheetal
Rooting for you, Kiran! So proud of this campaign and your brilliant work
on March 5, 2018, 10:11 a.m.
good luck, Kiran!!