KOLLAM: Tests conducted by the material testing laboratory at the TKM College of Engineering here have found that sand mined from Ashtamudi Lake is unfit for construction because of its high saline content. Contractors in the district have been rampantly using sand mined from the lake for building works. Last month, following widespread complaints that concrete portions and plastered walls of such buildings were flaking off, Kollam Revenue Divisional Officer Sajith Babu conducted raids on locations from where sand was mined. Samples of sand seized during the raids were sent to the laboratory for testing. Dr. Babu said the tests revealed that the chloride content of the sand stood at 2.268 per cent, which is very high. It meant that the salt content in each basket of sand would be about 320 g. The buildings constructed with such sand would have a life of only about ten years, he said. Eco concerns In the wake of the test result, Paristhiti Samrakshana Ekopana Samiti general convener Odanavattam Vijayaprakash has called for a total ban on sand mining from Ashtamudi Lake. It is from the Padappakakara course of the lake that the bulk of the sand is mined and sold at exorbitant prices to the construction sector. Mr. Vijayaprakash said the mining activity had also posed a major threat to the ecology of the lake. It was damaging the rich fish wealth of the lake thereby affecting the livelihood of the inland fishermen. The sale of sand from Ashtamudi Lake was outright cheating as it was unfit for construction works. Sand mining was going on in spite of a High Court order.