KAILALI: Consumers in the mid-hill region of Shuklaphanta National Park can now legally use riverbed materials such as stones, gravel, and sand for household purposes following an interim order from the Supreme Court.
The restriction on riverbed materials was imposed four years ago after a case was filed in court claiming that extraction had been carried out illegally while collecting revenue. Bharat Bahadur Bista, chairperson of the Sundadevi Mid-hill Consumer Committee, said the Supreme Court’s interim order has lifted the ban, ensuring consumer rights are protected.
“Previously, consumers had to pay between Rs 2,000 per trolley for stones and Rs 6,000–8,000 for sand and gravel due to the restriction,” Bista said. With the ban removed, local residents can now access riverbed materials more easily for constructing homes and other infrastructure.
According to Damodar Joshi, secretary of the committee, over 20,000 residents across 48 community forests under nine mid-hill committees within the national park will benefit. He added that environmental impact assessments had already been conducted for the extraction of river materials, and their use will follow these assessments.
However, the order allows materials to be used only as needed; storage or resale to third parties remains prohibited. Chandrashekar Chaudhary, senior conservation officer at the park, said the decision follows the Mid-hill Area Management Committee’s meeting on October 17, and users will be allowed to access river materials with proper authorization and revenue payment in line with existing laws.
Local leaders have welcomed the decision. Lal Bahadur Air, ward chairperson of Shuklaphanta–10, said the restriction had caused significant inconvenience, leaving many households unable to complete construction projects. Similarly, Daan Singh Air, ward chairperson of Ward 6, said the previous ban had increased the risk of river flooding, as accumulated materials could block rivers during the rainy season, posing a danger to nearby settlements.
The Supreme Court’s interim order is expected to provide significant relief to local communities while allowing regulated, legal use of riverbed materials in line with the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973, Mid-hill Area Management Committee Rules 1996, and other relevant legislation.
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