PARBAT, April 6: Extraction of river materials from the Kaligandaki River has resumed after the Supreme Court (SC) dismissed a writ petition that had stalled such activities for four years. An interim order issued on July 13, 2021 had halted all extraction works.
A division bench of Justices Dr Kumar Chundal and Binod Sharma rejected the writ on October 27, 2024, clearing the way for the local governments to proceed with the extraction. The petition had alleged illegal extraction and smuggling of riverbed materials from the Kaligandaki River across six districts: Myagdi, Parbat, Baglung, Syangja, Palpa, and Tanahun.
Authorities reluctant to control extraction of river products
Following the court’s decision, Jaljala Rural Municipality in Parbat announced tenders on March 4 for regulated extraction from nine designated sites within its jurisdiction. Contracts worth Rs 17.7 million have been awarded to individuals and companies.
According to Chairperson Raju Prasad Acharya, extraction had been stalled for four years due to the court’s interim order, leading to loss of revenue. He added that legal extraction will now boost municipal income and support local development.
Although formal contracts were halted, illegal extraction had continued during the suspension. Meanwhile, Kushma Municipality has yet to act on regulated extraction, resulting in continued unauthorized activities.
The SC has also emphasized the need for local monitoring to prevent illegal smuggling of sacred Shaligram stones and protect the religious significance of the Kali Gandaki River.