Illegal sand mining threatens rivers, lives in Kishoreganj
Illegal sand mining has intensified across the rivers and haor areas of Kishoreganj, damaging ecosystems, accelerating riverbank erosion and putting homes, farmland and public infrastructure at risk.
Residents have long complained that influential groups are extracting sand with dredgers from several rivers in the district. Although the authorities conduct drives from time to time, the operations often resume at the same locations within days.
Illegal sand extraction is reportedly taking place at more than 50 locations across Kishoreganj. The most vulnerable waterways include the Ghorautra, Dhanu and Bowali rivers in Nikli, the Kalni, Meghna and Dhanu rivers in Ashtagram, the Shitalpati River in Bhairab, the Old Brahmaputra in Pakundia, and several rivers in Bajitpur, Kuliarchar and Karimganj.
Local resident Md Karim said the repeated extraction was causing river erosion, loss of farmland and biodiversity, damage to government infrastructure and violent clashes over control of the business.
On July 18, Kachum Ali, 68, was killed in a clash between two groups allegedly over control of sand extraction from the Ghorautra River in Chhatirchar Haor under Nikli upazila. Ramiz Member, Hiru Mia and several others were injured.
Local sources said at least three people had been killed and more than 100 injured in disputes linked to illegal sand mining in the district over the past three years.
During visits to Nikli and Ashtagram, this correspondent saw sand being extracted from riverbeds day and night using multiple dredgers.
Residents alleged that operators suspend their activities when administrative drives begin but resume them shortly afterwards. Continuous dredging has made parts of the riverbed abnormally deep, exposing riverside settlements, agricultural land and Water Development Board embankments to erosion.
The river protection embankment in Chhatirchar Haor is now in a vulnerable condition, residents said.
Similar activities were reported in Doelpur, Balikhola Ferry Ghat and Sutarpara areas of Ashtagram.
Locals alleged that an influential group was exploiting river lease arrangements to extract sand regularly with several dredgers.
Hundreds of boats reportedly transport the sand to different destinations every day, worsening erosion in nearby villages, including Sutarpara.
“About 50 acres of our land have gone into the river because of sand mining. When we protest, we face threats and intimidation,” said Manik Miah, a farmer from Sutarpara.
Nuruzzaman, a riverbank resident, alleged that an influential group was extracting sand by using political connections.
“We have tried to stop them, but we have received no remedy,” he said.
Former Itna upazila chairman Advocate Aminul Islam Ratan said isolated operations would not end illegal sand mining unless the financiers and organisers behind the business were identified and prosecuted.
TIB-SANAK Kishoreganj unit President Swapan Kumar Barman said illegal sand mining, previously carried out sporadically, had developed into an organised business since 2024.
In Pakundia, allegations have emerged that sand is being extracted from the Old Brahmaputra River with dredgers in the Narikeltalchar area.
Local resident Nurul Islam filed a written complaint with the upazila nirbahi officer, alleging that dredging takes place every day from afternoon until late at night. The sand is then transported in bulkhead vessels.
He said houses and cropland were gradually being swallowed by the river. Ashraf Uddin, who was accused of involvement, denied the allegation and said he had been blamed without justification.
Residents have also reported illegal sand extraction from the Shitalpati River in Bhairab, Manikadi and Mendipur in Kuliarchar, Daulatpur in Bajitpur and the river near Balikhola Ghat in Karimganj.
Hasnat Qayum, president of the State Reform Movement and an Apex Court lawyer, said unplanned sand extraction was disrupting the natural flow of rivers.
He warned that the practice was causing long-term damage to the haor environment, biodiversity, agriculture and fisheries, in addition to worsening river erosion.
Members of fishing communities said noise from dredgers and damage to riverbeds were destroying fish breeding grounds. They said the decline in indigenous fish production was threatening the livelihoods of local fishermen.
The administration has conducted operations against illegal sand extraction in several upazilas, including Ashtagram, Pakundia and Katiadi. Police, army personnel and mobile courts have seized dredgers, detained trawlers and arrested several people over the past year.
Administration sources said more than 25 drives had been conducted across the district during the last two years. Between Tk 20 lakh and Tk 25 lakh was collected in fines, while 22 people were arrested and 11 of them were sent to jail.
However, residents alleged that most operations targeted dredger operators and workers, while the organisers and financiers behind the activities remained beyond the reach of the law. Consequently, sand extraction often resumed shortly after the drives ended.
Kishoreganj Deputy Commissioner Sohana Nasrin told The New Nation that the UNOs of all 13 upazilas had been instructed to take strict action against illegal sand mining.
“Whenever illegal sand mining is detected, raids will be conducted, fines imposed and dredgers seized. Legal action will also be taken against those involved when necessary,” she said.
