Four years ago when the excavation had started to escalate in the forest areas of Dharan, Panwari Community Forest Group at Panchakanya VDC and Bajgara Community Forest Group in Dharan had prevented such activity in the Sauti river area, but now all these efforts have gone in vain, said Chairperson of Panwari Community Forest User Group, Man Bahadur Yonjan. [break]
"The use of heavy machinery in digging up the natural resources was supposed to be prohibited, but the contractors, with authorization from the DDC, have been excavating along the river banks unhindered”, said Yonjan.
Based on a recent contract signed between the DDC and Pathibhara Suppliers, the company can carry out excavation activities on the banks of the river until the end of July. The contract involves a monthly charge of Rs 500,000.
During a meeting held for approving the contract, local development officer Rajendra Dev Panday had okayed the use of heavy machinery for the excavation, informed Yonjan. Both Sunsari Chief District Officer Laxman Thapa and the chief of the security branch were present during the meeting.
Panday said that he would even share a percentage of the profits, according to Chairperson of Bajgara Community Forest Group, Tika Pokharel.
Explaining the consequences of the heavy excavation, Pokharel added, "Erosion of land and uprooting of trees which leads to the destruction of homes and even loss of human life are the bitter consequences."
Meanwhile, contractor Jiban Neupane said that they have been operating along the river after receiving full legal authority from the DDC.
Adding to him, LDO Panday said, "All the arrangements have been made in such a way that it won´t harm bio-diversity and environment."
"The excavation will be monitored regularly and we will make sure the contractors don´t go
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