Export of aggregates and sand has surged after the Supreme Court (SC) ordered the government to ease the ban on their export. The SC lifted the eight months long ban after consulting the report of the Environmental Committee formed by SC order. Aggregates entrepreneurs say they are excited after the SC verdict.

 

Babukaji Bania, the Member Secretary of the committee said that while lifting the export ban, limitations are set on excavation. However, the ban on the export of stones is still there. Aggregates can be exported only after meeting the internal demand. A committee formed under the Chief District Officer in respective districts will monitor the export.

 

The committee had conducted studies in the districts where aggregates are extracted the most – from Jhapa in the east to Kapilvastu in the west.

 

The ban was imposed after unauthorised extraction of sand and stones affected the environment.

 

On the basis of the report of the committee, the governmenthas imposed a ban on excavation of sand and stones in the Churiya region, within 18 kilometres of either side of Tinau river in Rupandehi and the entire northern part of Banganga river as wella as up to one kilometre south of the same river in Kapilvastu. Similarly, extraction is banned in the area up to seven kilometres east of Makwanpur’s Manohari river as well as on those portions of Rapti river that are adjacent to the highway.

Krishna Prasad Sharma, the President of Crusher Industries Association said, “This recent SC verdict has protected the investment from being crushed.” Sharma said there is an investment of Rs 40 billion in this sector. Before the ban, there were 200 crusher units in operation of which 80 were big ones. After the ban, 25 units were closed down.