Sand extraction sped up after the High-level Committee for Integrated Development of Bagmati Civilization gave a green light to the map of the river flow carried out in 2021 B.S.
The illegal sand extraction is going on for a long time and those involved in the illegal activity are doing brisk business, while the government is being deprived of revenue.
Ramesh Kuikel, a man who extracts sand illegally, said he sells a truckload of sand at between Rs. 500 to Rs. 2,000. But the cost is double (Rs. 3,000-4,500) when the extracted sand reaches villages.
Local residents have been voicing concerns over the illegal extraction demanding action against the persons involved in illegal sand extraction business. They say the illegal sand extraction from has been damaging ecology and eroding the riverbank and fear that the river may change its course if the illegal activity continues.
However, police posts in Gokarna, Sundarijal and Thali, situated nearby the Bagmati riverbed, have not initiated any action.
When asked Assistant Sub-Inspector Mahesh Poudel at Police Range, Gokarna, said they were unable to arrest sand smugglers for lack of adequate human resources. The other police posts in Sundarijal and Thali said they are also facing the similar problem.
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