MAHOTTARI, May 26: Residents of the district have suggested the newly-elected representatives at the local level make the protection and conservation of natural resources as their main agenda.
Although the local level representatives have stated that education, health and infrastructure development are among their priorities since taking office, ordinary citizens have emphasized on preservation of natural resources.
Dr Vijay Kumar Singh of Megharol in Bhangaha municipality-7 said that the failure to implement scientific methods of excavation control, conservation and use of heritage will have an impact on the entire district.
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The responsibility of stopping all this has fallen on the shoulders of the newly- elected representatives. Natural disasters are on the rise due to lack of clear standards and uncontrolled excavation. As a result, landslides, soil erosion and inundation are increasing.
He also reminded that most of the candidates in the election campaigning had pledged to protect natural resources and stop uncontrolled excavations. Hence, the illegal crusher industry should be shut down.
Likewise, Lalan Mandal of Pashupatinagar in Bardibas Municipality-9 expresses concern over the lack of implementation of such commitments made by political leaders.
Khadga Bahadur Singh, 75, of Bardibas Municipality-14 says that protection of Chure mountain range should be a priority issue. "Chure Hills and the surrounding range are the source of most of the rivers flowing through the district. Hence, It is necessary to protect the Chure," he said.
Sarita Dhungana of Gauridanda in Bardibas Municipality-3 says that uncontrolled exploitation has increased in rivers and river basin areas of Bardibas. The problem of erosion and inundation is due to increasing illegal sand and stone quarries.
At present, there are more than 50 illegally operated crusher industries in the rivers and river-basin lands of Bardibas, Gaushala, Bhangaha and other municipal areas. The newly elected people's representatives have a challenging responsibility to do away with such illegal crusher industries.