Jaflong’s future at stake as sand, stone looting spirals out of control

Local authorities unable to halt rampant illegal extraction despite efforts

Sylhet’s Jaflong, a scenic gem of Bangladesh, is now facing grave threats as it falls victim to the rampant plundering of its stone and sand resources.

The Dawki River enters Bangladesh from the Khasi-Jaintia hill range near the Meghalaya border of India, 62 km from Sylhet city.

The stones carried by this river serve as a major source of income for the locals.

The Gowainghat Upazila administration monitors the stock of stones in the region, with recent data from Jul 26 showing nearly 37.4 million cubic feet of stone stored.

At 8:15pm on Aug 5, a group of criminals disabled the CCTV cameras in the area.

In the following weeks, at least 10 million cubic feet of stone were looted from the vicinity of the Piyain and Gowain Rivers near Jaflong zero point, with an estimated market value of around Tk 1 billion, according to officials.

Locals claim that after the stone looting, illegal sand extraction is now taking place freely in the area. The constant sand dredging is threatening the river basin and local biodiversity.

Extortion is also reportedly happening daily, with the names of the administration and BNP being used to facilitate the illegal activities.

Local traders in Jaflong say that after the political shift in August, a syndicate began looting stones near the tourist area.

This syndicate has since ‘managed’ the local administration and is now turning to sand extraction.

Hundreds of trucks are hauling sand from the river daily and storing it at different locations.

Md Saydul Islam, assistant commissioner (land) of the Upazila, expressed helplessness in dealing with the situation, adding that despite ongoing operations, authorities have been unable to control the theft.

An official from the Upazila administration said at least ‘several thousand’ personnel would be required to conduct a one-day operation to stop sand extraction in Jaflong, which is practically impossible.

He added that with a smaller force, there is a risk of facing ‘attacks’ during the operation.

In response to the illegal activities, 11 cases have been filed recently by the Upazila administration, Department of Environment, and local police.

Among the accused are Rafiqul Islam Shahporan, former joint secretary of Sylhet district BNP, and Shah Alam Swapan, former chairman of Gowainghat Upazila.

Locals allege that they are the masterminds behind the sand extraction syndicate in Jaflong.

Following the allegations, BNP suspended Rafiqul from his position and expelled Swapan from the party.

Shah Shaheda Akhter, coordinator of the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, or BELA, in the Sylhet, said: "Initially, there was looting, but now the operation is running as a business right in front of the administration."

“Recently, protests, press conferences, human chains, and petitions to the administration have been held against the court's ruling demanding the reopening of quarries in Sylhet," she added.

Deputy Commissioner Md Sher Mahbub Murad said, "Regular operations are being carried out to stop illegal sand and stone extraction in Sylhet. Whether or not we receive tips, we continue our raids.”

SAND, STONE LOOT CONTINUES IN JAFLONG

Despite bans, large-scale extraction of sand and stones persists in Sylhet’s Jaflong

In 2015, the High Court designated Jaflong as an Ecologically Critical Area, or ECA, after an appeal from the BELA.

Following court orders, the Bangladesh Mineral Development Bureau, or BMD, halted stone extraction in February 2020 at eight Sylhet quarries, including Jaflong.

The BMD's enforcement of the decision resulted in stones once again accumulating in Jaflong and Bholaganj, carried by river currents from India. These deposits have been extracted extensively and illegally in the past four years.

According to several sand and stone traders in Jaflong, the illegally looted stones are estimated to be worth at least Tk 2 billion since August.

About 4,000 to 5,000 traditional "barki" boats are used daily to collect sand from the river.

Labourers sell the sand at Tk 10 per cubic foot along the riverbanks, where traders then purchase and stockpile it before dispatching it nationwide.

Several local business figures, including two BNP leaders, Jaflong Sand Traders Association President Dilwar Hossain Dilu, and Truck Drivers Association President Somed Mia, have been implicated in these activities. It is reported that a toll of Tk 2,500 is charged per extraction pump, along with Tk 500 from traders.

A visit to Jaflong Bridge on Sunday afternoon revealed labourers offloading stones from “barki” boats along the banks of the Piyain River.

Around 200 trucks were lined up, transporting the stones to nearby crusher mills.

Meanwhile, at least 50 “bomb machines” were seen extracting stones from the river’s north side, visibly destabilising the riverbed.

Sand and stone extraction continued from Jaflong Bridge to Mamur Dokan, Ballaghat, and Zero Point areas, where most of the boats were concentrated, particularly in the Ballaghat and Mamur Dokan areas.

Labourers, working in pairs on each boat, were observed extracting sand along a two-kilometre stretch of the river, with trucks stationed nearby to transport the sand to crusher mills.

A local sand trader Akram Hossain said: “Sand from the bridge area is sold at Tk 17 per cubic foot, while Zero Point sand fetches Tk 20 to Tk 22 and is transported to various regions across the country. Major traders buy sand from the “barki” labourers along the riverbanks and later sell it from their designated sites.”

Md Rimon, a labourer from Sunamganj’s Jamalganj, has been working in Jaflong for the last month and a half, initially extracting stones and now focusing on sand.

“Every day, sand worth hundreds of crores is being extracted,” he said, earning Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,500 per day.

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THOSE INVOLVED

Md Badarul Huda, assistant director of the Sylhet Department of Environment, and Md Mamunur Rashid, inspector of the Sylhet Environment Court, have filed a case with the Gowainghat Police Station, accusing 22 individuals of illegal sand and stone extraction.

A total of 114 people are accused in the two cases.

Shahjahan Siddique, convener of Gowainghat Upazila Youth Wing, expressed disappointment over the involvement of two BNP leaders, saying: "We are deeply upset about the illegal sand extraction. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has made it clear that no illegal activities will be tolerated by the leaders and activists of our youth and student wings."

He said, “Some individuals are using the names of BNP and the administration for this. I have heard that this group collects Tk 500 in bribes from 200-300 dump trucks transporting 500 feet of sand daily. I have reported this to the OC and UNO."

“If this is true, we will take action through the Youth Wing. We want to save Jaflong. If this continues, Jaflong will be destroyed. We seek everyone’s cooperation to save Jaflong,” he added.

In the case filed by the environment department, the former chairman of Gowainghat Upazila Shah Alam Swapan is currently on bail.

He claimed to have "no knowledge" about the sand extraction activities.

Swapan remarked, "This is the work of the workers. We have organised a human chain to demand the reopening of stone quarries through legal means."

Rafiqul Islam, the suspended joint secretary of the district BNP, countered by accusing the Awami League.

He said, "I am not involved in this. An Awami League syndicate is behind these activities. The extortion is being carried out by a previous group."

Regarding the allegations, Dilu Mia, president of the Jaflong-Ballaghat Sand Business Association, denied the claims of extortion, saying, “The claim that Tk 500 is being extorted per truck is not true. You can check with the truck workers’ president.”

Samed Mia, president of the Jaflong Truck-Driver Association, also dismissed the extortion claim.

He said, “This is a lie. Since the 5th of the month, none of us have been involved in any issues. If you have proof, report it.”

WHAT THE AUTHORITIES ARE SAYING

Md Saidul Islam, assistant commissioner (land) of Gowainghat Upazila, said: “There is a huge amount of sand from Jaflong Zero Point to the bridge. We are regularly conducting operations to stop illegal sand extraction. However, a group’s disregard for the law has made it difficult to stop this.”

He added, “Multiple cases have been filed, and we will soon conduct a major operation in coordination with the joint forces. The administration has been issuing daily announcements to stop sand extraction.”

Gowainghat Police Station chief Tofail Ahmed said: “So far, 11 cases have been filed regarding the extraction of sand and stone in Jaflong.

The investigation into the environment department’s case is ongoing, and several suspects have been arrested in other cases. A significant amount of sand, stone, and other materials has been seized. I have discussed with the authorities and will soon carry out further operations in Jaflong.”

However, he refuted claims that the police were involved in facilitating the illegal sand extraction, saying, “The police are taking a strict stance against illegal sand and stone extraction.”

Md Touhidul Islam, Gowainghat Upazila chief executive or UNO, said, “We have proposed establishing a camp in the riverbank in coordination with the joint forces to stop sand and stone extraction in the ecologically sensitive Jaflong area.”

He said, “A case has been filed, and those responsible have been named as accused.”

ENVIRONMENTALISTS CONCERNED

Shah Shaheda Akhtar, coordinator of the Sylhet Division unit of the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers' Association, or BELA, alleged that the looting of the stone and sand in Jaflong is unfolding right before the eyes of an indifferent administration.

She asked: "My question is do they not have any measure to take against the contempt of court which is taking place before the eyes of those serving as the representatives of the government.”

Prof Mohammad Jahirul Hoque, vice-chancellor of Metropolitan University in Sylhet and organiser of Dhoritry Rokhhay Amra, or DHORA, pointed out that stones are the natural resources of Sylhet.

There is no objection if the stones are extracted from the government-declared quarries in the traditional way without harming the surroundings and the environment.

"But after the political transition, the looting of the stone and sand from the biodiversity-rich Ecologically Critical Area, or ECA, and white stone and sand in Jaflong is going on.

“In addition to the destruction of the environment and biodiversity, government-declared tourist areas are being destroyed. The tourism industry in Sylhet is facing an existential crisis. The High Court order is being violated. The government is also facing a loss in revenue."

The researcher, who has a PhD on the division’s stone sector from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, said: "Indiscriminate stone extraction in the Piyain and Dawki rivers in Jaflong and the Dhalai River in Bholaganj will change the course of these rivers. Many areas will vanish in the riverbed, and there may even be a situation like border conflict.

“In the 1980s, an entire Khasia settlement named Sangram Punji in old Jaflong was washed away into the riverbed due to unbridled stone quarrying. If no measures are taken, you may see something like this soon."