Excavation continues beneath embankment built to control Karnali river flow

Kailali: Excavation activities have increased along the banks of Kailasheshwor Community Forest in Janaki Rural Municipality–6, Kailali. Although Janaki Rural Municipality has awarded contracts for the extraction of stone, gravel and sand at a location about 500 meters away from the riverbank, excavation is reportedly taking place directly along the riverbanks.

Hundreds of tractors have been extracting sand from the forest area, which had been made safer only last year after the Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Project placed large boulders there. The boulders were laid after an embankment constructed by the project collapsed in the area, with the aim of controlling the river flow.

With the water level dropping during the winter season, sand extraction has resumed. During excavation, stones packed in wire mesh from the old embankment are being removed, and digging is also being carried out beneath the boulders that were placed to stabilize the riverbank.

The Kailasheshwor Community Forest, where the excavation is taking place, is collecting entry fees, while the contractor company SR Nirman Sewa has been awarded the contract for stone and gravel extraction. Ganga Chaudhary, head of the revenue branch of Janaki Rural Municipality, said monitoring was conducted until a few days ago, but there have recently been complaints that excavation is occurring in areas not covered by the contract.

Khadak Bahadur Shah, chairman of Kailasheshwor Community Forest, whose office is located nearby, said he was unaware of the situation and would take steps to have the excavation stopped. Despite the responsibility of the District Coordination Committee, District Administration Office, rural municipality, nearby forest offices and consumer committees to prevent illegal extraction of stone and gravel, all concerned bodies appear to be unaware of the ongoing activities.

Local resident Amar Rimal said that even if embankments are constructed to protect infrastructure and settlements downstream, the ongoing excavation in the area could pose serious risks.