Administration struggle to prevent sand extraction in Sreemangal

Of 31 sand dunes in Sreemangal, six have been leased out officially

Even strict monitoring has failed to prevent illegal sand extraction in Moulvibazar’s Sreemangal. The administration is struggling to prevent perpetrators who evade the monitoring, use influence or cite excuses to use it in home construction and extract the sand.

Due to the long-term extraction of sand from various streams and land in Sreemangal, the natural flow of water is being obstructed, the banks of the streams are being eroded, and the environment is being damaged. This extraction is also damaging roads and urban infrastructure. In addition, illegal extraction is causing the government to lose out on a source of revenue.

Sreemangal Upazila Nirbahi (Executive) Officer (UNO) Md Islam Uddin said silica sand is produced in the Upazila's quarries. Each quarry is 8-10 kilometres long, some are even longer.

Law enforcers are conducting regular raids to prevent illegal extraction of sand from those quarries or dunes. However, they struggle to monitor the vast area that houses the dunes, he said.

Sreemangal Upazila Assistant Commissioner Land Md Mohibullah Akon said that there are 31 sand dunes in the Upazila. They are Bhurbhuriachhara, Jainkachhara, Khaichhara, Jagachhara, Sumaichhara, Shaonchhara, Narayanchhara, Longliachhara, Udnachara, Bilasachhara, Dingdinggachhaga, Putiachhara, Naluachhara, Hoogliachhara, Gandhichhara, Amrailchhara, Aliachhara, Makrichhara, Suwarichara, Patriyachhara, Jaitachhara, Ichamatichara, Boulachhara, Boro Chhara, Murachhara, Kalichhara, Kalamchhara, Phulchhara, Goplachhara and Shialchhara.

Of them, six - Jainakachhara, Jagchhara (western part), Sumaichhara, Narayanchhara, Baulachara and Boro Chhara – have been leased out.

Sand extraction from any dunes not leased out is illegal, whether conducted on a commercial level or not, he said.

Meanwhile, on Saturday evening, allegations were made against Shamim Ahmed, the convener of Sreemangal Municipality BNP, for extracting sand from the Bhurbhuria Chhatra in Shanti Bagh area of Sreemangal.

A video went viral on social media alleging that he was using his party affiliation to extract sand.

Sreemangal UNO Islam said that after receiving the information, a mobile court went on a raid in the Shantabagh area. Shamim was collecting sand from the riverbank next to his house and filling it in bags to protect the banks of the river.

However, the UNO said even that was not allowed and he called locals and warned Shamim and others in front of them, he said.

He said, "No one is allowed to extract sand from dunes that are not leased out. The administration is strictly monitoring the matter. Anyone involved in this process is being brought to justice."

Assistant Commissioner Bhumi Mohibullah said that 100 cubic feet of sand was seized in a raid in the Shanti Bagh area on Saturday. And the person who was extracting it has given a bond that he will never extract sand again in the future.

Shamim claims that he did not extract sand for personal use or commercial purposes.

He said, his house was located near the sand dune. His house and adjacent road is facing a risk due to mountain runoff. Hence, he engaged two workers and took the sand from the dune to fill up the areas along the bank and on that road.

The BNP leader said, “I never ran a sand business and have no plan to do so in the future.”

Since the administration has to spend a lot of time conducting raids against the illegal sand extractors, it affects their other work.

In this regard, Assistant Commissioner Mohibullah said he only joined the land office a week ago, but had to go out on sand raids on three different days.

He said, on Aug 27, they conducted a raid and stopped sand extraction from the area beside the bridge at Goplachhara, which was already leased out. On Aug 26, 500 cubic feet of sand was seized in a joint force operation in the Raghunathpur Kalibari area.

That afternoon, they raided two more illegal dunes in Sikka and Dobagao areas of Sindurkhan Union. At that time, the illegal sand extractors fled.

Bamboo fences have been set up around the illegal extraction areas to close them, the officer said.

Sreemangal UNO Islam Uddin said, "There are government rules for extracting sand in accordance with the leasing rules. If all the sand dunes in Sreemangal come under legal leases, this process will be reduced."

He said, in the last year, 16 regular cases and seven mobile court operations have been conducted in this regard. A large amount of sand and vehicles have been seized. Fines have been imposed. The seized sand has been auctioned three times; the amount of which was 71,285 feet.

He said it was very hard to protect the sand dunes until people are aware of the issue. “However, we’ll continue our raids even if it is tough for us. Whoever extracts sand illegally, will be brought under the law.”