Palpa: The local governments of the district have not been able to study the impact of the limestone mines although 11 mines are in operation in different places of the district since 2009.

Although the local governments have been collecting royalties from the mining industry, locals have complained that the local governments have not been able to study its impact on the residents of the affected areas and the environment even in 13 years.

The operation of the mines has affected the environment and the socio-economic issues of the locals, locals complained.

Om Bahadur Ghartimagar, chairman of Tinau Rural Municipality, admitted that the study has not been conducted yet.

Over the last decade, most parts of the Siddhartha Highway have been damaged due to trippers operating from the limestone mine sites.

Krishna Pandey, a local of the Tinau Rural Municipality, said the incidents of floods and landslides have increased due to the spillage of low-grade mineral products from the mine while most of these are in operation near the highway. Pandey blamed that local governments have not been able to alert mining industries even though the water and other raw materials from some mines have flowed into the river and water sources.

Some mining industries have dumped stones and gravel in rivers and streams. Residents of the lower coastal areas have complained that the local governments have remained silent though the residents are becoming victimized from mines.

Currently, mining industries are also in operation in Nisdi Rural Municipality, Randevi Chhahra Rural Municipality and Mathagadhi Rural Municipality of the district. These rural municipalities have not taken any initiative even to conduct on-site observation and study of the mining area.

There is a provision in the Mining and Minerals Regulations that the local governments can monitor the mining area. In addition, the local level should make recommendations for the renewal of the mine.

Rajesh Kumar Aryal, former president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Palpa, said that most of the mines have not complied with the conditions and provisions of the regulations.

Chief of the Division Forest Office, Palpa, Deepak Gyawali, said that there is a provision that the geographical condition of the hill should not be allowed to deteriorate while excavating in the mine. He said that the mining sector is not allowed to work in such a way as to affect the forest and the environment.