BAJURA: Rampant excavation of sand, boulders and gravel from Bahuli Khola has put human settlements at high risk in Bajura district headquarters Martadi. River products are illegally extracted from the river and taken to Martadi for construction of new houses.

Local Hikmat Rawal said as many as 50 houses were at high risk in Martadi. He added that the local administration had paid no heed despite constant reminders regarding consequences of rampant extraction. Sand, boulder and gravel can be extracted after primary examination of its environmental impact.

Devi Prasad Pandey of District Technical Office said, “Extraction of river products should not be done without investigating its consequences and impacts on the surrounding areas,” he added. Rawal added that many fertile lands had turned barren due to illegal excavation.