KATHMANDU: The Office of the Prime Minister (PMO) and Council of Ministers has directed all concerned ministries and government bodies to ensure that the extraction and collection of riverine and mineral resources are carried out strictly in accordance with approved standards, environmental impact assessments, and prevailing laws.
According to the directive, the office has taken note of complaints and reports indicating that the extraction, collection, transportation, sale, and distribution of construction materials such as stone, gravel, sand, and soil are being conducted improperly at the local level.
The directive emphasizes that the mining, collection, transportation, and use of riverine and mineral resources must be managed in a systematic, transparent, and sustainable manner in line with existing laws, standards, and policies related to natural resource conservation. The objective is to prevent shortages of such materials needed for development and construction projects while discouraging their excessive exploitation.
The Prime Minister’s Office has issued the directive to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, the National Vigilance Center, all Chief Ministers, and local governments.
To curb indiscriminate excavation, illegal extraction, and unauthorized transportation, authorities have been instructed to conduct regular patrols, monitor high-risk areas in the presence of local residents, and immediately control illegal activities through the police administration.
The directive further states that excavation activities must not cause environmental damage to rivers, streams, forests, agricultural land, or settlement areas. Local governments have also been instructed to regulate excavation activities by allowing the extraction of river-borne materials only between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. daily.
While carrying out mining operations and the use of minerals, priority must be given to worker safety, environmental protection, and the interests of local communities. Authorities have also been instructed to ensure that invoices are issued based on actual transaction values to prevent revenue leakage and discourage the issuance of fake bills without transactions.
In addition, local governments, in coordination with stakeholders, have been directed to immediately launch public awareness programs promoting the sustainable use of riverine and mineral resources.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has also been instructed to submit a monthly progress report, including challenges and developments related to implementation, to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers during the first week of every month.
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