NIE NTU Researchers Join Forces with Indian Scholars to Tackle Sand Mining Challenges

In May 2025, NIE NTU researchers participated in a joint academic exchange and field reconnaissance in India to strengthen collaborations on sustainable sand mining. The visit was anchored by a symposium held at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, one of India’s leading institutions, and organized by Prof. Rajiv Sinha. The event, titled “Geospatial Techniques for Natural Resource Management and Geoenvironmental Risk Assessment,” brought together a diverse group of researchers and students from both India and Singapore. Assoc. Prof. Edward Park delivered a keynote talk on “Sand Mining in the Mekong Delta: Extent, Compounded Impacts, and Sustainable Management,” while PhD student Sonu Kumar presented his ongoing research on Sustainable Mining Zones Technology, highlighting a spatial decision-support system to guide environmentally sound sand extraction practices.

The team also conducted several days of field reconnaissance along the Ganges and Yamuna Rivers. These site visits offered first-hand exposure to diverse sand mining practices and their effects on riverine landscapes and nearby communities—valuable for informing comparative studies with the Mekong region.

The visit concluded with a group photo of participating academics and students, capturing the spirit of collaboration and shared commitment to addressing one of Asia’s most urgent environmental challenges.