Investigation Initiated into Unauthorized Excavation Along Mahakali River

Authorities have initiated an inquiry into unauthorized excavation activities along the Mahakali River on the Nepal-India border. The Deputy Chief District Officer of Baitadi, Rajmani Niroula, confirmed the investigation and stated that legal procedures will be followed. Niroula mentioned that work on excavation has been halted and necessary actions will be taken in compliance with the law. Following the inquiry, the District Administration Office has requested Pancheswor Rural Municipality for detailed information. The Chief Administrative Officer of the rural municipality, Veer Singh Bhandari, informed that the authorities have received the necessary documents and will proceed with the required procedures. He also mentioned that a team from the District Administration Office and District Coordination Committee has been assigned to investigate the matter. According to Bhandari, the construction company involved in the river excavation did not have permission from the rural municipality. It was revealed that the company had been carrying out unauthorized excavation activities along the riverbank. Previously, in the Janglatada area of Pancheswor Rural Municipality-4, a company had been conducting continuous excavation along the Mahakali River. The company had obtained a contract for road construction from Melauli to Pancheswor through the Physical Infrastructure Development Office in Baitadi. The company had been operating a crusher near the Mahakali River, extracting stones, gravel, and sand through excavation. As per the measurement standards set in 2077, a company can operate a crusher within a kilometer distance from the riverbank only after conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Similarly, after the approval of an environmental study report for excavation, sale, and management of stones, gravel, and sand, the company can proceed with excavation and operation of the crusher. However, it was found that the concerned company had not completed the necessary procedures before carrying out excavation and crusher operations along the Mahakali River. To oversee the investigation and regulation of unauthorized excavation, a committee has been formed under the coordination of the Chief of the District Coordination Committee. Following public outcry, the District Administration Office and District Coordination Committee have further intensified the investigation. The committee, comprising Baitadi's Chief of District Coordination Committee Khagendra Singh Dhami and Office Chief Raghunath Awasthi, had conducted discussions with representatives of the rural municipality. No concrete decisions regarding legal actions have been made following the discussions.