Sylhet Bureau

The Stone grabber Syndicate in Sylhet's Jaflong has become desperate given the opportunity of the recent floods. Jaflong is freely lifting stones mixed with sand from the ECA area. The post-flood situation has created a big festival for them. In violation of the Government Gazette and the writ petition No. 9177/2019 of the Hon'ble High Court regarding ECA, stone-sand mining continues by mechanical and non-mechanical methods. As a result, Jaflong, the main tourist center of the country, is losing its natural beauty, the border lines and maps of the country are changing. Destruction is the environment and surroundings.

According to the official gazette and the writ order mentioned by the Hon'ble High Court, the area of 14.93 square kilometers adjacent to Jaflong Pathar Quarry and Dawki River is ECA or Environmentally Threatened Area.

An area of 500 yards on both sides of the river in this area, which is prohibited to lift sand and stones by all mechanical and non-mechanical methods. Even installation of stone crusher machines in designated areas is prohibited. The government has also been directed to launch a Traxforce operation against violators of the ban.

But no one, including the Stone grabber syndicate and local administration identified in the area, is obeying the official ECA Gazette and High Court orders. As a result, Jaflang, the sixteenth daughter of nature, is on the brink of destruction. And because of this, tourists from home and abroad are turning away. Various incidents are happening, even the death of tourists by falling into stone pits is happening in Jaflong.

On the ground, it has been seen that stone grabber Syndicate of the area is illegally smuggling state resources of Jaflong ECA area by loading trucks, trolleys, engine boats and ballgates day and night. Hundreds and thousands of crores of rupees are being earned in illegal ways. Local people complain that the operation of the local administration is limited to paper only.

Goainghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Tauhidul Islam said, the local administration is always active to maintain the ecologically critical area. The administration has strict vigilance to stop stone quarrying here. He said that law enforcement forces including police, BGB are taking a strict stance against illegal stone quarrymen.