By Bidur Acharya
Chautara, July 31: Even during the peak monsoon season, illegal excavation of riverine materials continued unabated at Sidhupalchowk’s Sunkoshi and Indrawati River.
Despite directives banning any such excavation, or storage of riverine materials during three months of the monsoon season, the crusher industries have been exploiting rivers all year round.
Although concerned parties have pledged to preserve water sources, and signed a formal agreement to control haphazard excavation, implementation has been problematic.
Just last week, the District Police Office Sindhupalchowk intercepted six tippers supposedly carrying illegally excavated riverine materials.
Among those taken under custody, the police had fined four tipper drivers in consultation with the District Coordination Committee.
One of the most popular tourist destinations, the Sunkoshi river is famous all over the country and even abroad for white water rafting. However, excessive exploitation in the river has disrupted Sunkoshi’s flow, much to the disappointment of the rafters and tourism entrepreneurs. Travel and tour operators and rafting agencies have been strongly objecting to the crusher industries operating in the Sukute area along the Sunkoshi corridor.
“We have constantly urged and requested the government to free this area from any excavation activities but to no avail,” informed Megh Ale, chairman of the Sunkoshi River Conservation Organisation.
Ale has been in the tourism sector for the last two decades. In all this time, he has seen Sunkoshi corridor emerge as a beacon of hope for several locals who have transformed their lives utilising the natural beauty and the perennial flow of the river.
However, like Ale, tour operator Mahendra Thapa is deeply worried of the mighty Sunkoshi’s fate. “Altogether, tourism entrepreneurs here record turnovers over Rs 10 million in a single day. It’s a lucrative business that pays a high amount of tax. Regardless, the government is turning a blind eye to our plights,” said Thapa.
Narayan Shrestha, President of the Sindhu Tourism Entrepreneurs’ Association, stresses on the importance of regulation and constant monitoring to check unauthorised excavation. Entrepreneurs like Shrestha have not been happy with the work carried out by the District Coordination Committee – the institution responsible for overseeing the crusher industry and their practices.
Often at times, the committee has come under public scrutiny for controversy over failing to implement agreements and controlling the industry’s excessive exploitation.
Crusher entrepreneur Bidur Parajuli, believes that both the tourism and crusher industries should move along in a level playing field. Both industries are important for furthering development, providing employment and thus both should be allowed to operate smoothly without compromising the other’s interest, explained Parajuli.
Kedar Chhetri, chairman of Balefi Rural Municipality echoes Parajuli’s sentiments. According to him, the excavation should be allowed for three months during the monsoon when enough sand and pebbles accumulate in the river banks.
During monsoon, rafting isn’t much feasible. Instead, for nine months, the excavation should completely stop and rafting can be enjoyed in the Sunkoshi,” he added providing a possible solution to the problem.