Nepal, July 28 -- Despite a nationwide ban on the extraction of riverbed materials during the monsoon season, illegal mining of sand, gravel and stones continues unabated in the Kaligandaki river. Heavy machinery is being used at night to extract river materials even during peak flooding season, in direct violation of environmental regulations.

The government prohibits extraction of riverbed materials from mid-June to mid-September, but extraction goes unchecked in the areas like Jalkini, Nayapul, Sahasradhara, Gopangghat, Rajakobagar among other places in Kushma Municipality. Similarly, illegal extraction has been reported in Khaniyaghat, Pharse, Kerabari, Milan Chowk and Baribeni in Jaljala Rural Municipality as well. Local people in P...