Kathmandu, October 12: Industries in Kavrepalanchok that have been exploiting river- and quarry-based natural resources in violation of established standards for years have been given a strict deadline of November 23 to comply with the regulations. The District Administration Office has warned of stringent legal action against industries that fail to meet the prescribed conditions.
The District-level Monitoring Committee has made a nine-point decision to bring stone, gravel, sand and other mining-based industries operating in the district within the legal framework. Chief District Officer Gopal Kumar Adhikari said industries that fail to meet the basic requirements within the deadline will be sealed and barred from operating during on-site inspections scheduled for November 24, 25 and 26, and the strictest possible action will be taken against them. He stressed that the administration has adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward the illegal exploitation of natural resources, road damage and environmental risks.
According to the committee’s decision, industries must fully comply with their approved extraction areas and quantities, construct boundary fences and sheds around their premises, control dust and noise pollution, and ensure scientific waste management. They must also provide personal protective equipment for workers, keep all industry-related documents at their workplaces, and coordinate with and obtain the consent of neighbouring landowners and local communities.
Mines and crusher industries operating without the legally required registration, environmental clearance and licences will be shut down immediately. Around 60 mining and crusher industries are currently operating in Kavrepalanchok.
Local governments must submit reports to the committee, supported by on-site verification, confirming that closed industries have ceased operations. Suspended industries will be allowed to resume operations only after submitting a written commitment to comply with the prescribed conditions.
Local governments have been requested to propose the necessary conditions for industries within their jurisdictions to operate in accordance with the Standards on the Extraction, Sale and Management of Stone, Gravel and Sand, 2020 (2077 BS) and submit them to the committee. Quarry areas must be clearly demarcated in accordance with the approved mining scheme and maps. If illegal extraction is found beyond the designated boundaries, the violations will be recorded separately and those responsible will face action under prevailing laws.
Industrial operations and transportation must not adversely affect roads, trails, streams, riverbanks, human settlements, drinking water sources or irrigation infrastructure. If any damage to public infrastructure or the environment occurs or is likely to occur, the concerned industry will be legally required to undertake immediate damage mitigation and remedial work at its own expense.
Local governments will also regularly monitor extraction, sales, transportation volumes and the deposit of applicable revenues.
Committee coordinator Deepak Kumar Gautam said a joint meeting of the district monitoring committees and concerned agencies from Kavrepalanchok, Sindhupalchok, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur would be convened to develop a common action plan to control overloaded vehicles that damage roads, illegal extraction and transportation, and revenue leakage. Local governments and security agencies will be mobilised jointly to ensure strict compliance with vehicle load limits.
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