THIEVES are using the cover of darkness to steal fine sand from the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park.
Managers of the world heritage site have reported the matter to police, alarmed at the reported extent of the theft.
Park manager Jason Tutani said they were concerned the illegal extraction would damage the surrounding vegetation and render the dunes unstable.
He said the issue came to light recently when nearby residents reported that truckloads of sand were being transported out of the area late at night.
Police spokesman Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri confirmed an investigation was under way.
"People living in the area have been reporting to us that trucks come in about 2am or 3am and steal sand from the dunes. This is really sad, people need to understand the significance of the sand dunes then maybe they'll have a bit more appreciation and stop stealing," said Mr Tutani.
He also said the park would be looking for funding to permanently fence the area which was accessible via a feeder road near the dunes.
"We have been discussing the issue, it is quite serious and we will be looking for funding to fence the area concerned, until then we have to rely on residents in the area to keep a look out for these sand thieves," he said.
"When the vegetation is disturbed, the dunes become unstable and blow into people's homes and we j ust get flooded with complaints."
A likely cause for sand stealing is the on-going boundary dispute between landowners of sand dunes situated across from the national park. Sand from the site is normally sold for construction purposes.
The Native Land Trust Board said earlier said that the Nadroga Provincial Council would be asked to convene a meeting between the two factions.
Yesterday NLTB chief executive officer Alipate Qetaki said he had not received any formal application for the removal and use of sand from the area which was issued with a stop work notice in May.
He could not say when operations would resume since no one has applied for a sand extraction licence "since the expiry of the first licence."
"Secondly, the meeting of parties that ought to have been convened by the Nadroga Provincial Council has not taken place. This meeting is to discuss and resolve landowners' issues between two disputing mataqali," he said.
The council referred all queries to the Roko Tui Malolo. The mobile phone contact supplied by the council was answered by a man who refused to answer queries.