Villagers of Natadradave in Tailevu are living in fear of what the future may offer, as one of their main source of livelihood has been destroyed by extraction of gravel.

The villagers rely on a nearby river for their daily living are now looking for other avenues to survive.

The Wailevu River in Natadradave village was once known as one of the major rivers in Tailevu North, is now all dried up and it has left the hopes of Natadradave villagers in despair.

FBC News visited the village and villagers raised their concerns of nothing left in the river for their survival.

Village Headman Rusiate Delai says during the dry season when pipe water runs dry, villagers used to rely on the river as an alternative water source but now it is no more.

Delai says he felt sorry for the women of the village as they have to walk to the nearby village to fetch water for their daily chores.

Delai claims the main cause of the issue is the extraction of gravel carried out by a private company.

Permanent Secretary for the Department of Minerals Malakai Finau told FBC News that villagers should bring their concerns to them and they will inspect the gravel extraction being carried out.