Kamrup: Illegal sand mining continues to wreak havoc in various sectors, including agriculture and wildlife conservation especially river dolphins, as local communities endure the consequences.
Despite mounting evidence against these illicit activities, perpetrators persist in mining and smuggling sand, driven by personal gain and collusion with authorities. Alarming reports have emerged from Morakolohi River, situated within the Chamaria Revenue Circle in Puthimari village, detailing the devastating impact of illegal sand mining.
Concerned citizens, speaking anonymously, have accused smugglers of causing irreparable harm to the river ecosystem, resulting in the deaths of endangered river dolphins.
The affected area falls under the jurisdiction of the Nagarbera River Conservation Forest Office and the Bamunigaon Forest Protection Range Office, both entities under the West Kamrup Divisional Forest Office. However, the state forest department’s inaction has raised questions and fueled frustration among locals.
According to witnesses, smugglers employ pump motors for sand extraction, with a fleet of over 15 to 20 dumpers operating during the night and more than 20 tractors engaged in daytime sand transportation. This rampant exploitation has left the community distressed, particularly over the fate of the river dolphins inhabiting the Morakolohi River.
The Gangetic river dolphin, revered as both the national and state aquatic animal of Assam, is classified as a Schedule-1 species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and is categorized as ‘endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). These dolphins depend on healthy river ecosystems for survival, yet human activities such as sand mining, dam construction, and pollution pose severe threats to their existence.
Despite the proximity of the illegal activities to key administrative and conservation offices, including the Chamaria Revenue Circle, Chamaria Police Outpost, and the Nagarbera River Conservation Forest Office, authorities have failed to intervene effectively.
In response to inquiries, Circle Officer Bilivia Choudhury of Chamaria expressed unawareness of the situation but promised to investigate promptly. Similarly, Nagarbera River Conservation Forest Range Officer Shivasish Shandilya acknowledged past efforts to combat illegal mining but cited challenges in apprehending perpetrators due to their vigilance and influence.
Regarding the presence of river dolphins, Shandilya claimed no personal sightings but pledged to conduct a thorough investigation. However, it is noteworthy that local residents reported discovering two deceased river dolphins in the Morakolohi River under Chamaria Revenue Circle in September 2021, underscoring the urgent need for action to safeguard these precious creatures.
The ongoing disregard for environmental regulations and wildlife protection underscores the pressing need for coordinated efforts between authorities, local communities, and conservationists to combat illegal sand mining and preserve the delicate balance of Assam’s river ecosystems.
Also Read: Tripura: Wife killed in brutal assault by husband