Assam: Rampant Illegal Mining Along Manas River Puts Jogighopa at Risk

Rampant illegal land and riverbed mining is reportedly taking place in Jogighopa in Assam’s Bongaigaon district, raising serious environmental and legal concerns. The unregulated excavation activities, particularly along the Manas River, are now putting nearby villages at risk.

The continuous illegal excavation of the riverbed soil has put Borjana village in Jogighopa at risk, with villagers warning of severe ecological damage and a threat to the river's natural course. 

As per locals, heavy machinery, including tractors and dumpers, is being used around the clock to extract soil, causing severe air and noise pollution in the vicinity.

Residents, including students, have expressed distress over the impact on daily life. Constant vehicular movement and dust from mining activities have disrupted schooling and triggered health concerns due to deteriorating air quality. 

Locals allege that the erosion of the Manas River is being directly fuelled by illegal mining operations carried out by a powerful land mafia active in the area. What has further angered the local population is the mysterious silence of the Forest Department, which has so far refrained from taking any visible action despite repeated instances of illegal activity in a protected river zone.

"We are extremely worried," said a resident of Borjana. "We’ve been holding meetings in the village to discuss the situation. We even pleaded with those responsible to stop these activities. But they don’t care about the people, nor do they fear the authorities. They often threaten us when we raise our voices," he added.

When asked about the identities of those behind the mining, another villager clarified that the perpetrators aren’t outsiders. He said, "It is not people from outside, this is the most shameful part. It is our people, locals who live right beside the river, who are reportedly involved in this illegal activity. We feel ashamed that members of our own community are causing such destruction."

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