Hulan River's Riverbed Looted for Sand, Local Government Conducts Overnight Rectification | CBCGDF Volunteers Urge Action

On the morning of April 2nd, volunteers from Suihua Conservation Area of the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation(CBCGDF) were patrolling the Hulan River section in Wangkui County when they were shocked to discover several irregular, elongated pits on the wide and flat riverbed on the north side. These pits were filled with seeped-in river water. The pits, estimated to be tens of meters long and 20-30 meters wide each, stretched over nearly 100 meters of the riverbed when connected, causing significant destruction. The tracks of large excavators used by the sand miners were clearly visible on the riverbed.

The volunteers reported this situation by phone to the local authorities and subsequently informed the Wangkui County Satellite Town Government about the illegal sand mining.

On the evening of April 2nd, after verifying the situation on-site, local government departments and relevant water authorities carried out an overnight operation to refill the excavated areas on the riverbed. By April 3rd, photos provided by the local town government showed that the sand mining sites in the satellite section of the riverbed had been completely refilled.

According to the volunteers, illegal sand mining has been a recurring issue along the Hulan River, including in Beilin District of Suihua City, Qinggang County, and Qing'an County. Many local residents are unaware that sand mining in river channels is illegal.

In fact, according to the law, no individual or enterprise is allowed to mine river sand privately, as it endangers the safety of river embankments. Any activities within the river channel management area, such as sand mining, soil extraction, gold panning, or the disposal of sand, gravel, or silt, must be approved by the river channel management authority. If other departments are involved, the river channel management authority must coordinate with them to grant approval.

 

Original Chinese Article: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/iZR49-kdW_jl34MeVLbh_A

Translator: Sara

Reviewed by: YJ

Editor: Sara    

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

 

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