Court ban fails to stop illegal silica sand mining in Moulvibazar

Illegal silica sand extraction continues in hill streams across Moulvibazar despite a High Court order restricting quarry operations, raising concerns over environmental damage, revenue losses and weak enforcement.

According to local reports, sand is being extracted from streams including Deochhara, Sunchhara, Japlachhara and Lauachhara in Kamalganj upazila, damaging stream embankments, hillocks, roads and nearby agricultural land.

There are 33 approved silica sand quarries in Moulvibazar. In 2013, the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) identified 51 hilly areas in the district as silica sand zones, of which 19 were leased for non-mechanical extraction.

Following allegations of environmental degradation, BELA filed a public interest litigation in 2016. On March 21, 2016, the High Court barred authorities from granting new leases for the 19 quarries without first conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and obtaining an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC). Residents alleged that organised groups continue extracting and transporting sand using trucks, pickup vans, trolleys and pushcarts, often leaving sites before enforcement teams arrive and resuming operations after officials depart.

Advocate Shah Shaheda Akter, BELA’s Sylhet divisional coordinator, said extracting sand without a valid lease is illegal and that authorities are responsible for stopping such activities. She added that anyone facilitating illegal extraction would be acting in violation of the High Court’s order.

Kamalganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Asaduzzaman said he had personally visited Deochhara stream following a complaint submitted to the deputy commissioner. He said the Assistant Commissioner (Land) was later sent to the site after reports of illegal extraction, but no workers were found upon arrival. He added that drives against illegal sand extraction in other streams are continuing.