By: Makar Shrestha

Bhaktapur: Residents of Jhaukhel VDC are worrying that their village land might collapse due to over extraction of groundwater through bore-wells in the area. VDC Secretary Ghatamani Pokhrel told that more than 17 companies are extracting groundwater in the two wards of Jhaukhel for commercial purpose. Among the 17 companies, only seven companies have taken permission from the Department of Cottage Industry.

Pokhrel informed that other companies are extracting groundwater illegally. He said, “The all party meeting had decided to shut down the companies that are extracting groundwater illegally but the decision is yet to be implemented.” Environmentalist Pawan Kumar Neupane told that the village is at risk due to over extraction of groundwater. “The land may subside after the underground water level gets emptied,” said Neupane, adding, “The extraction of groundwater for commercial use should be stopped.”
A local Kiran Neupane told that there might be acute water shortage in the Jhaukhel VDC if the extraction of groundwater continues. Many companies like ‘Aqua Fresh’, ‘Ok’ and ‘Aqua Seven’ are selling the processed ground water extracted in Jhaukhel in the market. Rameshwor Thapa, proprietor of ‘Jai Chhuma Ganesh Suddha Pani’ informed that the company is selling 0.5 million litres of water daily. He told that the District Development Committee and the District Administration Office must stop the companies that are extracting groundwater illegally. Bishnu Kumari Bhattarai, chief, Cottage Industry said, “It is illegal to sell groundwater and the problem arose after the water companies did not follow rules and regulations.”

Source: Kantipur, July 1, 2010