KAKARBHITTA: The Jhapa District Development Committee has put a ban on excavation of sand and pebbles from rivers in the district for the next three months. The prohibition will apply from June 16 to September 17, according to Jhapa Local Development Officer Fanindra Dahal. The government has been putting a halt on such excavation during the monsoon with the objective of protecting the environment of the Chure region and to avoid any river inundation, added Dahal. The Mechi, Ninda, Hadiya, Biring, Tangting, Ratuwa, Mawa among other rivers of Jhapa are popular destination for excavation of construction materials including sand and stones. However, this decision of the authorities will keep more than four thousand daily wage labourers out of work for three months, says President of Nepal Construction and related Workers Association, Ninda river unit committee Ram Bahadur Rai. 'The government must reconsider its decision', Rai said. Furthermore, President of Eastern Nepal Tractors Association Santosh Meche said that 4,000 tractors operating in Jhapa and Ilam districts will remain off the roads as a result of the prohibition. He suggests applying the decision only after mid-July.