Staff Correspondent, Narayanganj

Powerful groups are illegally extracting sand using dredgers from rivers flowing through Narayanganj district. This activity not only depletes the navigability of the rivers but also disrupts their courses and balance, leading to severe environmental degradation. Freshwater fish are disappearing as a result.

Locals allege that the administration has been compromised, enabling this illegal sand mining business to flourish. However, residents and environmental activists are demanding legal action against these unscrupulous dredging syndicates to protect the rivers. The Narayanganj River Port Authority of BIWTA has promised prompt eviction drives and strict measures to tackle the issue.

A visit to rivers like Meghna and Shitalakshya reveals rows of illegal dredgers extracting sand with impunity. As a result, these rivers are losing their navigability and are on the brink of extinction. Such scenes of illegal sand extraction are common on the Meghna, Brahmaputra, Buriganga, and Shitalakshya rivers in Narayanganj.

Residents accuse influential local groups of managing the administration to carry out this illegal activity through dredgers for years. Previously, sand was extracted openly during the day.

Now, to evade joint task force monitoring, these activities take place under the cover of darkness, supported by armed criminals. This is altering river courses, destroying balance, and eroding the rich heritage and variety of delicious fish once found in these waters. Even the breeding of hilsa is at risk.

Residents of Sabdi and Kalagachhia villages in Bandar Upazila report that river police and administrative officials rarely visit or take notice. They claim to live in constant fear as armed criminals intimidate and threaten anyone attempting to protest.

Environmental activists are calling for legal action against illegal sand miners to save the rivers.

Mohammad Hossain, Chairman of the Environment Protection and Development Society, stated, "Year after year, these illegal dredgers are consuming our rivers. Fish populations have declined, and even hilsa breeding is under threat."

He added, "We urge the current government to take any measures necessary to protect our rivers. Strict punitive actions must be taken against illegal sand miners; otherwise, saving the rivers will be impossible."

Meanwhile, BIWTA Narayanganj River Port Deputy Director Mobarak Hossain Majumder stated that regular monitoring is underway and joint operations with river police are being planned to curb illegal sand extraction.

He said, "River police conduct regular patrols, and we carry out eviction drives periodically. However, during the day, we don't find these illegal dredgers as they operate at night or early morning. We will soon take measures against this, with the help of the river police."

 The BIWTA official also mentioned that over the past year, more than 50 illegal dredgers have been removed during various eviction drives in Narayanganj.