KHOTANG, August 27: Police have taken control of six tractors and a JCB (excavator) that were transporting illegally excavated sand in Khotang. The Area Police Office of Mahadevstan, Halesi, seized a tractor whereas Buipa Police Station and Lamidadha Airport Security have seized one and two tractors respectively. The District Police Office also seized a JCB (excavator).
The Area Police Office Halesi has seized the tractors (Sa 1 Ta 7815, Na 7 Ta 3329 and Na 6 Ta 7087). Sagar Shah, Information Officer and Inspector at the District Police Office, Khotang, said that the tractor was taken to Halesi Tuvachung Municipality on August 24. The tractor (Ko 2 Ta 7756) seized by Buipa Police Station on the same day has been sent to Halesi Tuvachung Municipality for further action.
Think beyond roads
Similarly, according to the police, on August 25, the security guards of Lamidanda Airport seized two tractors (Na 5 Ta 6600 and P 2-03-011 Ta 3294). The tractors have been handed over to Rawabensi rural municipality. Similarly, the JCV (excavator) seized by the District Police Office on August 25 has been handed over to Diktel Rupakot Mazhuwagadi Municipality.
At present, ballast sand is being extracted illegally from various places of Dudhkoshi, Sunkoshi, Rawa Khola and Sapsu Khola of Khotang without completing Initial Environmental Examination (IEE). Even roads have been constructed haphazardly for the extraction of stones, gravel and sand in some places.
The District Coordination Committee wrote to all the local governments on January 7, 2019 to make arrangements for the extraction of construction materials after completing IEE as stones, gravel, sand and other materials were being smuggled out of the rivers and streams illegally. Bobby Chamling, head of the District Coordination Committee, informed Republica that the construction materials were being smuggled without completing IEE.
