KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court (SC) has issued a five-point mandamus order in the name of the government to immediately shut down the illegal excavation of river-based materials.

A divisional bench comprising Justice duo Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma and Tek Prasad Dhungana issued the mandamus order to book those involved in the unlawful extraction underway across the country and immediately shut the operation of excavation works.

The apex court has ordered to enact a separate River Products and Natural Resources (Excavation and Control) Act immediately to protect the rivers.

According to the mandamus, the government should immediately formulate and enforce a separate River Products and Natural Resources (Excavation and Control) Act to conserve the natural resources along with the Work Procedure for the Collection and Use of River Products prepared and implemented by all the seven provinces, 2075 BS, and the Standards related to the excavation, sale and management of stones, pebbles, and sand.

A writ petition was filed at the Supreme Court seeking to stop illegal mining in rivers and streams across the country. The Supreme Court issued the order after hearing the writ petition.