Night surveillance beefed-up to prevent illegal sand extraction from Doda River

KANCHANPUR, Feb 6: Reports about unauthorized extractions of sand from the Doda River in Shuklaphanta Municipality-12 have drawn the attention of the local government, prompting it to increase surveillance against the move. 

According to Ward Chair Nawal Singh Rana, the local government has sought  the coordination of local police to prevent any possible extraction of river products during night. “We heightened the surveillance mainly during the wee hours: from 2AM to 4AM,” he said. 

It is learnt that sand collection from the river has already been banned and the smugglers are taking advantage of the dark to carry on with their illegal business. The constant extraction from the river has posed a grave threat to the embankment. It is at high risk of collapse at any time.  The river has become deeper by two feet due to the continued and haphazard sand mining.  

First, an environmental impact assessment is a must to determine whether sand collection from the river is viable and a tender is required if the assessment suggests the possibility of extraction. “We have taken the matter to the municipality, but it is yet to be addressed,” he said, adding that illegal extraction of river products has caused a loss of huge revenue to the local government.  

The increased risk of embankment collapse has posed a grave threat to the nearby settlement.  If it breaks, the nearby settlement may get inundated. 

The river serves as the border between the Shuklaphanta Municipality and Laljhandi Rural Municipality. The ward will cooperate with Lal Jhandi to prevent the illegal extraction from the river.

(RSS)