n spite of the laws currently in place against such invasive practices, recent sightings prove that river encroachment remains a persistent problem in the country.
The Teesta, Dharla, and Jamuneswari rivers -- along with numerous other areas as such across the nation -- continue to be victims of illegal sand dredging that is leaving our riverbeds in ruins.
It is even more disheartening that, as per residents’ reports, the local police and the management in charge -- backed by political support -- are suspected to be involved in not only the enabling of these heinous activities, but also in the collection of these profits.
While authorities insist they are working on preventative measures around the clock, we are inclined to believe the locals’ testimonies; how else can these crimes repeatedly go unchecked for so long?
Sand extraction can have severe detrimental impacts on not only the areas it is carried out in, but the national ecological balance as a whole. We stand at risk of erosion, altered river courses, and an increase in flooding as the natural barriers are destroyed -- not to mention the damage caused to the homes and livelihoods of the inhabitants of these lands.
Yes, corruption on an administrative level is proving to be increasingly rampant across various sectors in our country, but this level of complicity cannot be allowed to go on -- especially at the expense of our natural resources.
We urge the government to look into this matter diligently and put a stop to it. It is imperative that we remove any and all officials culpable in these actions, and bring the active participants to justice.