Mustang, June 26: The protracted dispute over who should raise utility tax from the excavation, sale and transportation of river-based natural materials from the Kaligandaki River in Mustang has finally come to an end.
The Conservation Management Committee (CMC) under the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) has begun collecting utility tax for the excavation of river-based natural resources such as sand, gravel and stone.
Chief of the ACAP Jomsom office, Rajesh Gupta, informed that the head office recommends adhering to minimum standards for river-based resource excavation from the Kaligandaki River for internal purpose.
Previously, the Supreme Court (SC) had issued a ban on the excavation of Kaligandaki based resources in response to a writ filed in July 2021. The apex court ordered the prohibition of obstructing the river flow, polluting, and excavating of stone, sand and gravel.
On November 4, 2024, the SC cancelled the writ with a directive order. In the meantime, Kaski district court revoked the writ petition filed by CMC of Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality-8 and 9 in Kaski on December 15, 2020. It may be noted that the interim order was issued to ensure compliance with existing federal laws when excavating river-based materials in ACAP region.
In lack of proper excavation of the natural river-based resources in Mustang, there has been a increase in disastrous incidents in the Kaligandaki river areas annually. The rising level of Kaligandaki river in recent times poses a high risk of land erosion in the 13 rural municipalities of Mustang. #nepal #mustang #SupremeCourt
