Shahadat Hossain Sajjad, Raozan (Ctg)

Despite repeated operations, illegal sand extraction using dredger machines continues unabated in the Halda River, the country's only natural breeding ground for carp species. This illicit activity, especially during the critical spawning season of broodfish, poses a severe threat to the river’s biodiversity and ecological balance.

A recent visit to the area revealed that influential groups are extracting sand illegally from the Halda River near Mokami Para in Noapara Union using about a kilometer-long pipe setup. Similar sand dredging was observed at Sattarghat, Paschim Gohira, and near the western side of the Telpai Bridge in Noajispur Union. 

The extracted sand is transported via mechanized boats and stockpiled along the riverbanks in Kazipara of Gohira Union and near Indiraghat Bazar in West Nadeempur of Noajispur Union.

Though sand leases from the Halda River have been officially suspended, a group of influential sand traders continues to defy government orders, regularly extracting sand with dredgers and boats. The result is riverbank erosion, ecological imbalance, and significant harm to broodfish and aquatic biodiversity. Moreover, the government is losing substantial revenue due to these illegal operations.

Halda River plays a vital role in the country’s aquaculture sector. Each year, during the months between Chaitra and Asharh, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms trigger spawning in major carp species like Rui, Katla, Mrigel, and Kalibaush. Fishers and egg collectors from Rauzan and Hathazari collect fertilized eggs from the river using boats and nets, incubating them in mud wells and hatcheries along the banks. The fry produced are then sold to fish farmers across Chattogram and beyond.

Because of this critical function, sand extraction, mechanized boats, and fishing are strictly prohibited during the breeding season. However, locals complain that the presence of large sand-laden boats has surged across several points of the river, disrupting broodfish activities. They allege that frequent movement of these boats is leading to the death of dolphins and broodfish.

According to Md. Alomgir Hossain, Senior Fisheries Officer of Rauzan, in the past seven months, 58 operations were conducted, resulting in the destruction of 65,200 meters of illegal fishing nets worth approximately Tk 2.06 million. In addition, eight individuals were fined a total of Tk 117,000 for fishing in the restricted area.

On Tuesday night at around 12 AM, a mobile court led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Executive Magistrate Jisan Bin Majed fined two individuals Tk 100,000 for illegal sand extraction from the Halda-Karnafuli confluence near Gani Miar Ghat in Kachukhain village of Noapara Union.

Despite these efforts, illegal sand extraction and broodfish poaching persist. Confirming the operation, UNO Jisan Bin Majed said,  such drives will continue to protect the unique biodiversity of the Halda River.