Local Development Officer (LDO) Narayan Risal has issued permits to various contractors, purporatedly for bridge construction.Heaps of rock and gravel excavated illegally by contractors and mining firms can be seen along the way from Galchhi to Devighat.
Most recently, Risal issued a permit to Rajendra Thapaliya, a contractor, for carrying out excavations in the Trishuli and the Tadi.
While the DDC refused to comment on the matter, it is learnt from the Department of Cottage and Small Industries that seven crusher firms have been given permits to carry out excavations from Devighat VDC to Kolpu Khola.
When the District Police Office (DPO), Nuwakot, tried to stop them from carrying out the excavations, they produced copies of the permits issued by the DDC, informed Deputy Superintendent of Police Siddi Bikram Shah. "We tried to stop the rampant excavation in the river. However, our hands are tied as they showed us copies of the permits," said DSP Shah.
The section of the Trishuli where the flow has been manipulated for carrying out excavations lies along the Galchi-Trishuli road section near Ratmate VDC. The area is about 500 meters from a suspension bridge. As per the law, crusher industries should keep a distance from human settlements, schools and bridges. But this provision is widely flouted.
Locals of Taruka and Ratmate have time and again filed complaints against the exploitation of the river for unlawful mining. But the complaints have fallen on deaf ears.
"If we speak out against such activities, the administration turns a deaf ear and the contractors will warn us to leave the village," said a local speaking on the condition of anonymity for fear of repercussions. "We cannot hold out against the crusher mafia," he added.
Similarly, another local speaking anonimously said rampant excavations were causing severe noise and dust pollution.
"We are having trouble sleeping at night due to the constant whir of the excavators. Officials at the DDC themselves encourage the mining as they get their cut from the contractors," he said.
Locals also complain that rampant excavation has affected irrigation in Ratmate and Duipipal VDCs.
Bishawsen Rai, 34, who has been fishing for a very long time, said the excavations have hampered his occupation. "Fishing is my main source of income and it is now at risk," he said.
Most of the crusher firms operating in the district have the backing of political parties. As they are being run with the involvement of cadres and leaders of the Nepali Congress, UCPN-UML, UCPN (Maoist) and CPN Maoist, among others, the political leaders have shown unwillingness to speak about the river excavations.
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