Tibetan Man’s Plea Against River Sand Mining in Sichuan Sparks Concern, Authorities Censor Online Posts
A Tibetan resident in China’s Sichuan province, Tsongon Tsering, recently called on authorities to stop a company from allegedly extracting sand and gravel from the Tsaruma River, an act he claims has led to environmental degradation and erosion along the riverbanks. His rare public plea, made in a five-minute video posted on WeChat, was removed shortly after, with Chinese authorities blocking his account and censoring related content.
In his video, Tsering, a resident of Kyungchu County’s Tsaruma village, accused Anhui Xianhe Construction Engineering Co. of illegal sand mining activities that, he stated, have destabilized local soil and caused water levels to drop significantly. Showing his identification card to underscore his concerns, he said that “indiscriminate extraction of sand” is endangering the foundations of homes in the village.
According to sources close to the situation, Tsering’s post had garnered significant support, accumulating about 10,000 views and hundreds of supportive comments within a day. However, by October 17, authorities had removed all traces of his post, preventing further sharing. A local source, requesting anonymity for safety, expressed worry that Tsering could face repercussions for his outspoken stance.
The mining practices have reportedly affected both the Tsaruma River and potentially the larger ecosystems of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, which are integral to China’s water resources. Tsering urged the government and Chinese media to investigate and address these ecological threats. His video also highlighted the potential impact on Asia’s broader water resources and high-altitude frozen soil.
Following Tsering’s call to action, the Kyungchu County Development and Reform Office pledged to look into the matter. Ngaba Prefecture’s Ecological Protection Office confirmed awareness of the issue, noting that it had begun collaborating with the Sichuan Provincial Ecological Environment Monitoring Office to investigate.
Tsering mentioned that his initial complaint to the local Ecological Environment Bureau in April resulted in a fine for the company. Yet, he felt the action taken was superficial, stating, “They have only covered up minor issues while ignoring the more serious environmental consequences.”
Anhui Xianhe Construction Engineering, established in 2012, works on projects ranging from urban development to hydropower and environmental protection. RFA Tibetan was unable to reach the company for comment on the allegations.
This situation highlights the ongoing struggles faced by Tibetan residents in raising environmental concerns, as state censorship and strict controls over information flow continue to restrict open discourse in the region.
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