Panchakanya Sand Washing Pvt Ltd operating at Jintebagar of Baireni VDC-9 and Walni Crusher at Kolebagar of Goganpani VDC-1 have been illegally extracting stones during the evening hours, mostly after 5pm, for fear of being noticed by the authorities, said a local UCPN (Maoist) leader Homnath Khatiwada. [break]
“Illegal extraction of sand and stones from the river has posed a threat of river bank erosion,” said Khatiwada.
Two year ago, the Supreme Court had banned illegal quarrying along the river banks, after crusher operators extracting aggregates from river banks without any concern over the environmental impact of such an activity.
However, Chief District Officer of Dhading Bed Prasad Kharel said he had no information about illegal quarrying along the river banks. “We will mobilize a team to investigate the issue. Stern actions will be taken against those extracting aggregates illegally,” said Kharel, adding that the guilty would be fined up to Rs 50,000.
District Development Committee (DDC), Dhading has been awarded the contract for collecting revenues from the crusher operators, said a local.
Local Development Officer (LDO) Ramesh Neupane said he had no information about illegal quarrying on the banks of Trishuli River.
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