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Sand is the second most commonly used raw material on Earth. Its quality is crucial, with the most valuable being that from beaches and the seabed. This has led to the global phenomenon of illegal sand mining and theft.

Pulau Nyamuk Besur, also known as Nirvana Island or Paradise Island, no longer exists. It sank in the waters of Jakarta Bay due to illegal sand mining, which has led to the disappearance of over 20 such islands in Indonesia. The ban on sand export introduced in 2007 did not solve the problem. Corruption ensures that erosion continues unabated.