Stone-crushing units in Gelephu ceased their operations about two months ago. According to them, the reason for closure is that the Department of Forests and Park Services has restricted them from collecting boulders at the Bhur Khola site.
There are 10 stone-crushing plants in Gelephu and all of them are now lying idle. Owners of the plants say they need permission from the authorities to resume surface collection of river bed materials like boulders and gravels from the Bhur Khola site. It is located within a radius of five kilometres from their plants.
Otherwise, their business will be severely affected.
Sharing his concerns, Yeshey Tenzin, the Manager of Mindu Stone Crusher, said “Compared to the past, things are becoming worse now. We have employees to look after and also have to repay loans. With operations halted, we are facing a tough time.”
Others doing similar business have also the same viewpoints.
“I personally submitted an application to the Agriculture Minister, requesting a permit to supply stone aggregates within the country if not for export. But we didn’t receive the approval. We assume there is an issue between the forest and NRDCL,” added the owner of Sonam Pelbar Stone Crusher, Rinzin.
However, the Department of Forests and Park Services clarifies that the revised guideline from the cabinet mandates all surface collection and dredging works to be done through an open auction.
This is to give the opportunity to every citizen in the country to export boulders and stone aggregates.
The department says they will call for an open auction after a week or so.
So far, they have been doing public consultation and seeking clearance from the gewogs.
The revised guideline came into effect in April this year.
Earlier, the Natural Resources Development Corporation Limited (NRDCL) was the only authorised agency by the government to carry out the surface collection of river bed materials and dredging works.
Nonetheless, the department says owners of stone-crushing units can procure boulders from the Mao Khola site.
But, owing to the long distance, this is not going help the stone-crushing plants in earning profits say owners.
They will have to bear high transportation charges, which will not favour them to keep their businesses afloat.
According to the records with the Department of Forests and Park Services, more than 12,000 truckloads of boulders and gravels were exported to Bangladesh and India last year.
This fetched the government a revenue amounting to Nu 5.42 M.
Boulders and stone aggregates are exported to India and Bangladesh for railway and building construction projects.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
Edited by Pema Lhaden
