Sand extraction from rivers must be planned, scientific

In violation of the law, influential individuals within local communities are unlawfully removing sand from numerous river and coastal locations across the nation, causing harm to biodiversity and disrupting ecosystems in the country’s waters.

This information has recently come to light in a new study carried out by the River and Delta Research Centre (RDRC).

Currently, there are 707 government-designated sand extraction sites, referred to as “Balumahal,” and among these, 382 have been leased to various private individuals.

Illegally, at least 265 people are engaging in sand extraction from 132 unauthorised sites located in 77 different rivers.

The study reveals that at least 54 out of these 265 individuals hold positions as local public representatives.

According to the research, the Padma, Jamuna, Meghna, Brahmaputra, and Surma Rivers are the primary areas where sand extraction is most prevalent.

Out of the 132 illegal sites, 20 are situated in the Padma, 13 in the Jamuna, 12 in the Meghna, six in the Brahmaputra, five in the Surma and Piyain, four in the Teesta, three in the Sangu, and three in the Ichhamati, with the remainder scattered across various rivers throughout the country.

Under the Bangladesh Balumahal and Soil Management Act of 2023, extracting sand and soil from rivers is prohibited if it is done for commercial purposes.

It is also prohibited, if it results in erosion, causes harm to the river’s natural environment, biodiversity, fish population, or ecosystems, or if it damages arable land or the flora and fauna in any given area.

As per the law, extracting sand from any unauthorised site or Balumahal is subject to legal penalties.

There is no room for unplanned and unscientific sand extraction. Before dredging a river, a hydrographic survey should be conducted, but this is not the current practice.

The government often rewards the lease of sand extraction sites to individuals based on their political affiliations, which leads to excessive sand extraction.

Even government agencies are involved in river dredging without prior hydrographic surveys.