June 2: The villagers of Nanong geog in Pemagatshel and Lumang geog in Trashigang have once again complained to the geog administration about the stone quarry at Mukazor on the seven kilometer Mukazor-Tshogonpa feeder road.

The feeder road is the lifeline for the people of Nanong and Lumang geogs. Villagers say it is no longer safe to travel on the feeder road due to falling boulders from the stone quarry.

The seven kilometer feeder benefits more than 1,000 households in Nanong geog in Pemagatshel and Lumang geog in Trashigang. The two geogs are adjoined and were previously under Trashigang Dzongkhag.

For the villagers, the feeder road is their lifeline. They use this road to take their orange and potato to the Samdrup Jongkhar auction yard and bring home goods and commodities.

But at Mukazor, on the feeder road, a stone quarry is in operation. Villagers say it has now become risky to travel on the feeder road due to falling boulders. They say the area could become prone to landslide due to the stone quarry.

The Pema Gatshel Dzongda Goling Tshering said he was not aware of the quarrying until the issue was highlighted by BBS TV in April.

Dzongda Goling Tshering said a detailed study on the impact should have been carried out before the permit was issued to the contractor.

He said the Dzongkhag environment officer and an official have been sent to investigate the problem. He said they are in the process of compiling a report.