Udayapur, May 8 -- Illegal extraction of riverbed materials is going on unchecked in Madibas and Lamakhola areas in wards 2 and 4 of Chaudandigadhi Municipality in Udayapur district. Local residents and civil society groups allege that this unauthorised activity is being carried out under the protection of the municipality and political parties, thereby putting over 70 households at risk of flooding and environmental degradation.

The extraction began after the Chaudandigadhi municipal executive, without conducting a mandatory Initial Environmental Examination (IEE), awarded Sange Chhoyling Construction Pvt Ltd to extract riverbed materials. Massive quantities of gravel and sand are being removed from forest zones and riverbanks, includin...