Khorshed Alam Sherpur

Unabated extraction of stones and sand by cutting across hills, rivers, and natural springs in the border areas of Jhenaigati upazila is causing severe ecological damage to the picturesque Garo Hills, local residents allege.

According to local sources, an organized syndicate has been openly extracting stones and sand from hilly terrain, rivers, and streams during daytime hours. The plundered materials are carried in baskets to designated spots inside protected forests to form large stockpiles. Starting past midnight, these materials are loaded onto horse carts, vans, trolley vehicles, and trucks to be smuggled to various parts of the country, disrupting the natural water flow of streams and destroying the ecological balance of the hills.

The continuous plunder has left deep scars across the Garo Hills, a region renowned for its natural beauty that also hosts the Gazni Abakash tourist center established by the district administration in 1993. While the popular tourism hub attracts thousands of holidaymakers daily and generates substantial state revenue annually, rampant extraction now threatens both public assets and local biodiversity.

The illegal activities are reportedly concentrated in several border areas under Kangsa union, including Gandigaon, Darbeshtola, Halchati, Malitila, Bakakura, Gazni, and Choto Gazni, alongside protected forest areas where over a hundred laborers are deployed with tools.

Despite sporadic mobile court drives conducted by the upazila administration—which have previously resulted in vehicle seizures, fines, and jail terms—authorities have struggled to completely curb the syndicate's operations. Tensions escalated significantly following an incident on the night of June 3, when sand smugglers launched an attack on forest official Salehin Nawaz and forest guard Ziaur Rahman after four sand-laden Mahindra vehicles were intercepted, leaving both officials seriously injured.

While the forest department maintains that river sand management falls under the jurisdiction of the district administration, critics point to a perceived lack of proactive measures by local authorities.

Speaking on the matter, Rangtia Forest Range Acting Range Officer and Assistant Forest Conservator S.B. Tanvir Ahmed Emon stated that any tip-offs regarding sand-laden vehicles during transit would lead to immediate seizures, while Jhenaigati UNO Md. Al Amin could not be reached for comment.

Conscious citizens and local environmental groups have called for intensified administrative surveillance, regular enforcement drives, and strict legal action against those backing and executing the plunder to protect the vulnerable ecosystem and biodiversity of the Garo Hills.