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Bagaha : Illegal quarrying and sand mining on hilly river beds along Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran District continues allegedly in connivance with local police personnel, some officials of the departments concerned, and influential politicians.

Sources said that areas in the 9 km radius of Valmiki Tiger Reserve falls under eco- sensitive zone where mining activities should not be allowed, but mining mafias have not spared this protected zone. Illegal quarrying is flourishing on raiyati land near Tharhi, Kailash nagar, Bharihani and Kotaraha villages under Valmikinagar police station while sand lifting along Valmiki Tiger Reserve from Valmikinagar to Gaunaha block can be seen at several places. Mining mafias have not spared even the adjacent Gandak Canal bridges.

Illegal sand lifting from the bed of Gandak river from Semra – Labdeha panchayat under Piparasi block continues on a massive scale and the river might shift its course towards village Shripatinagar during the monsoon.

West Champaran DM Nilesh Ramchandra Deore had asked Mines Development Officer Mohammad Reyazuddin to convene a meeting of District Task Force on May 11, 2018, to discuss ways to check illegal sand mining and quarrying. But, only Mines Development officer Reyazuddin and a Divisional Forest Officer, Division-I, Gaurav Ojha, attended the meeting. Taking serious note of it, the DM has sought explanation from the Mining officer.
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