This has not only threatened the ecological balance but also the existence of wildlife in the area. The locals had halted all quarrying activities along the rivers two years ago, but illegal quarrying has started again. [break]
“It is surprising that the Nuwakot District Development Committee (DDC) and the District Administration office (DAO) have turned blind eye to this illegal activity,” said a local.
As per the existing code, quarry operators are allowed to dig only up to 30 cm below the earth´s surface but they have been found to have dug more than 30 feet below the ground
“Moreover, the laws do not allow quarrying along the rivers. We have also informed the authorities about the illegal activity. But they have turned a deaf ear to our complaints,” said Raju Thapa, a local youth leader of Nepali Congress. “If the authorities do not stop this illegal activity it is likely to invite a disaster,” added Thapa.
However, Local Development Officer of Nuwakot (LDO) Rudra Singh Tamang said that the area do not fall under the jurisdiction of his office. He said the Department of Cottage and Small Industries should look into the matter.
Meanwhile, administrative officer at Nuwakot DAO Tirtha Bahadur Adhikari assured of action against persons involved in illegal quarrying of sand and stones from riverbed. “We will not tolerate any such illegal activity,” said Adhikari.
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