Sand Mining in Sreemangal: Two Quarries on Paper, Illegal Extraction in 26 Streams

In Sreemangal of Moulvibazar, only two sand quarries have been leased on paper. In reality, sand is being extracted illegally from 26 more silica sand quarries across the streams of the upazila. The trade, going on day after day, has put the very existence of the streams at risk.

More than 30 hill streams flow across Sreemangal upazila and meet in the Hail Haor. These streams are the lifeblood of the area and a major support and attraction for its nature and tourism. But the daily business of illegal sand extraction is endangering their existence.

Sand is being extracted continuously from streams including Barmachhara, Udnachhara, Harinchhara, Putiyachhara, Bilashchhara, Phulchhara, Kakiyachhara, Amrailchhara, Ichhamatichhara, Bhurvhuriya, Jagchhara, Sunachhara, Narainchhara, Boulachhara, Gilachhara, Shialchhara and Khaichhara, damaging the environment and ecology and raising the risk of erosion.

Local residents complain that sand is regularly extracted from various streams in Sadar, Sindurkhan, Ashidron, Satgaon, Bhunbir, Mirzapur and Kalapur unions. Sand is also being lifted on a small scale in different places in Sreemangal Sadar, Kalighat and Rajghat unions.

Environmental worker Tapas Das said unplanned sand extraction from hill streams can change the natural flow of the streams and the structure of their beds. This raises the risk of bank erosion, loss of farmland, damage to the foundations of roads and bridges, and homes falling into danger.

According to upazila administration figures, 18 drives were conducted under the sand quarry and soil management law from August this year to November 2. Fines of 1,00,200 taka were collected in these drives and five people were given jail terms of various lengths. Sand seized in the drives was sold at auction, bringing in 2,70,250 taka in revenue.

Locals complain that after paying a small fine when a drive ends, the powerful syndicates start lifting sand again. The government is losing potential revenue, while farmland, rural roads, bridges and homes are under threat.

Earlier, drives in Sindurkhan, Bhunbir, Motiganj, Kalapur and other areas of the upazila seized and destroyed excavators and other equipment used for sand extraction.

Cases have also been filed over illegal sand extraction. On May 2 this year, a case was filed against 20 people for damaging the environment by extracting sand illegally in Bhunbir and Mirzapur areas. Bhunbir Union land assistant officer Himel Pal filed the case as plaintiff.

Clashes, attacks and road accidents have also occurred around illegal sand extraction and transport. Recently, six people including the drivers of an autorickshaw and a battery-run tomtom were injured when a sand-laden Diana vehicle ran over them. Angry people then set the vehicle on fire. When the Sreemangal-Mirzapur road was blocked, traffic remained stopped for about four hours.

The local member of parliament, the upazila nirbahi officer, and members of RAB, police and BGB went to the spot to bring the situation under control. Journalists who went to cover the incident were also attacked.

Sreemangal Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Ziaur Rahman said the administration is in a strict position against illegal sand extraction. Regular drives are being conducted to protect the balance of the environment and farmland. If anyone tries to extract sand illegally in violation of the law, necessary legal action will be taken against them. Such drives will continue in future as well.

Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Mohammad Minhazul Islam said the drives will continue in the interest of protecting the balance of the environment and the public.