Despite Dilip’s Sacrifice, Unauthorized Exploitation of Aarhi River Continues

March 14, Janakpurdham – Tractors are lined up along the Aarhi River. Some individuals are extracting gravel and sand, while others are loading it onto vehicles. The rampant unauthorized exploitation of the river feels like an insult to the martyrdom of environmental activist Omprakash Mahto Dilip.

On January 9, 2020, 24-year-old Dilip from Sri Pur, Ward No. 5 of Mithila Municipality, was brutally murdered for raising his voice against illegal extraction in the Aarhi River. Despite his murder, unchecked exploitation continues unabated due to collaboration between local authorities and crusher mafias.

“The continued unauthorized exploitation of the Aarhi River, for which Dilip sacrificed his life, is a tragic reality. The current situation disrespects both the martyr Dilip and the state,” expressed Dilip’s friend, Sunil Kumar Singh, with anguish.

Extraction has been carried out up to three kilometers downstream, against established standards, visible clearly from beneath the Aarhi Bridge on the East-West Highway. A staff member involved in the construction of the four-lane Aarhi Bridge revealed that unauthorized extraction happens both during the day and occasionally at night.

“Extraction takes place all day using tractors, tippers, and buckets. Sometimes, they dig the river at night as well, but no one intervenes,” the staff member said.

This year, Mithila Municipality has again contracted the extraction from the Aarhi River. Similar conditions prevail in other rivers where the municipality has awarded contracts, including Basahi, Jalad, Jagdhar, Wadhare, and Ratu rivers.

For the current fiscal year 2082/083, the municipality awarded a contract worth NPR 30,562,273.80 including VAT to Nerisa Construction Company Pvt. Ltd., Kathmandu-6, for mining gravel, stones, and sand from these six rivers.

As per the contract signed on February 26, the company is allowed to extract 121,830 cubic meters by the end of August from designated locations. The contract includes 33 conditions, including extraction only between sunrise and sunset, adhering to all legal standards.

Navaraj Pahadi from Ward No. 10, Lalgarh, signed the contract for the contractor company. However, locals report that extraction has surpassed the contractually allocated limits despite the company’s claims.

Contractor Navaraj Pahadi insists they have not started extraction in the Aarhi River yet. “We have not conducted extraction in Aarhi thus far; we are just about to start,” he stated.

Several crusher and sand processing industries operate on the riverbanks without interruption. Despite clear violations of standards, relevant bodies remain silent. The Area Police Office is located two kilometers away, and the municipality office is three kilometers away, yet neither demonstrates effective enforcement. Accusations and counter-accusations are ongoing between the police and municipal offices, blaming each other for lack of cooperation.

Many homes in Dilip’s native village, Sri Pur, now own tractors that are currently used for river extraction. The contractor employs a strategy of renting local tractors to carry out extraction, complicating enforcement efforts further.

Mithila Municipality Mayor Mahendra Mahto expressed frustration over insufficient cooperation from police administration in controlling extraction activities, including reports of unauthorized vehicles involved in the activity. However, no arrests have been made.

“More tractors other than the contractors’ are digging the river. Vehicles from two villages are in use. When inspectors arrive, they avoid the area. Only the contractor’s vehicles have proper authorization,” he said. “I have informed the District Police Office and the District Coordination Committee, but the police administration’s role remains questionable.”

Despite persistent protests against illegal extraction by local youth, authorities have paid little attention. According to Sunil Kumar Singh, friends of environmental activist Dilip, repeated appeals to police and local government have failed to result in effective action.

“We have been continuously raising our voice. Everyone appears responsive, but nothing stops the extraction,” he said. “All three levels of government remain silent while the crusher mafias grow bolder.”

Inspector Laxman KC from the Area Police Office, Dhalkevar, complained that although the municipality awarded the contract, it has not provided necessary information on the extraction limits and locations.

“The municipality gave the contract but refuses to disclose details on how much and from where extraction should occur,” he explained. “On what basis should we prevent it? When we attempt enforcement, contractors complain that the police prevent them from working, and we bear the brunt.”

Contract Terms Not Followed at Extraction Sites

Observation at rivers like Aarhi, Wadhare, Basahi, and Ratu indicate poor coordination between the municipality and contractors regarding the 33 contractual conditions. Despite an agreement to extract 121,830 cubic meters, actual extraction has exceeded these limits in several locations. However, contractors claim they have not yet commenced extraction.

Though monitoring committees and the municipality have provisions to oversee and issue directives regularly, on-site enforcement remains weak. Despite clauses mandating stoppage when extraction exceeds limits, no effective implementation has been observed.

Extraction is occurring dangerously close to the Aarhi Bridge, violating provisions to maintain specified distances from bridges, roads, and public structures. The rule to avoid altering the natural river course is also ignored, degrading the river’s natural state. Although breaching contract terms could lead to cancellation of agreements, no action has been taken.

Chief Administrative Officer of the municipality, Harishankar Yadav, claimed the monitoring committee has conducted site inspections and will submit reports soon. He added that contractors have recently received written warnings regarding violations.

“The monitoring committee has completed inspections. We will proceed after the report is submitted,” Yadav stated. “We recently sent a letter cautioning the contractor against contract violations.”

He mentioned that police have been provided with contract details and equipment information, emphasizing that active police involvement could help control all illegal activities.