Dumped broken-cut stones in Rangpani ‘pose risk, not benefit to nature’, say experts

They say the river’s path and flow could be disturbed, resulting in potential bank damage

In Sylhet’s Jaintiapur Upazila, along the Sreepur border, authorities have replaced large quarried stones with small and broken-cut stones in the Rangpani River, a naturally formed and scenic tourist site.

Experts say this practice will bring no benefit to nature and may even have the opposite effect.

They warn it could disturb the river’s natural flow and alter its course, potentially causing erosion.

Prof Md Mozammel Haque of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology’s Department of Food Engineering and Tea Technology said the administration is carrying out this initiative without consulting specialists.

He added that authorities may also be trying to send a supposedly “positive” message to the public.

The professor, who teaches students courses on soil science, said: “Returning broken-cut stones will not benefit nature. Stones have a lifespan, and once broken, they are damaged. The protective outer layer is destroyed.

“Microorganisms and other small life forms start inhabiting the stones, and they will gradually erode over time.”

“The administration is dumping stones that won’t stay in place. They’ll occupy the deeper part of the riverbed, reducing the overall depth of the Rangpani,” he added.

Instead of dumping the broken stones back into the river, he suggested using them in government infrastructure projects, where they might at least serve some purpose.

Widespread stone looting has plagued Sylhet since Aug 5 last year, targeting the Bholaganj quarry in Companiganj, the 55 hectare Shah Arefin Tila, the Sadapathor tourist spot and the adjoining 4 hectare railway bunker, as well as popular sites like Jaflong, Bisnakandi, Lalakhal and Sreepur-Rangpani.

Despite taking place in broad daylight under the noses of local authorities, these areas have been stripped of their stone and sand, leaving the tourist zones barren.

The Shah Arefin Tila and railway bunker have become pitted and hollowed.

Massive amounts of public property have been damaged, while looters have pocketed crores of takas.

According to the administration, Bangladesh has 51 officially designated stone and sand quarries, including eight in Sylhet’s Kanaighat, Companiganj, Gowainghat and Jaintapur.

Outside these zones, natural deposits are also found in tourist destinations like Sada Pathar, Jaflong, Bisnakandi and Utma Chora.

Most of the stones and sand in these areas come from the rivers of India’s Meghalaya hills across the border.

Before 2020, quarries outside protected areas in Sylhet were leased for extraction, but environmental and ecological concerns have since led to the suspension of these leases.