Economic Activities Associated with Extraction of Riverbed Materials in the Tinau River, Nepal

Abstract

A study was conducted during 2012 to 2013 in the selected reach of Tinau River, Nepal. The main objective of the study was to quantify employment and income generation from extraction of construction materials from the river. A 10 km stretch of the river was selected for the study. Sample survey with semi-structured questionnaire and field observation were the main tools used during field investigation. Extraction of riverbed materials from the banks, beds and floodplain areas of the river has provided many kinds of job opportunities for the people living in the vicinity of the river. It has also generated adequate amount of revenues. The collected revenue has been invested for many kinds of social and infrastructures development for years. Though extraction of riverbed materials is beneficial for income and employment generation, it has also negative environmental impacts in and around the river. Furthermore, the study concluded that riverbed extraction should be continued with special monitoring and evaluation in the areas where there is still room for extraction.