Sand quarrying continues unabated in most of the riverbeds in Kerala.The river-beds of Moovattupuzha, Meenachil, Pampa, Bharathapuzha etc. are being exploited.The sand quarrying in Meenachil river was banned for a period of six months with effect from January 1998. The labourers engaged in quarrying agitated against the ban on the plea that they would become jobless if the ban continued.