Sylhet Bureau :
A group of stone and sand workers in Jaflong, Sylhet, staged a sudden protest on Saturday, temporarily blocking the convoy of two advisers to the interim government during their official visit to the region.
The incident occurred around 11:45 am on Saturday near the environmentally critical area (ECA) of Jaflong in Goainghat Upazila. The protest unfolded as Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, were returning from a site visit.
Videos circulating on social media show the demonstrators surrounding the officials’ motorcade and shouting slogans, in protest against recent government moves to restrict stone extraction activities in the area.
Police intervened swiftly to disperse the protestors and clear the route.
Goainghat Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Sarkar Mohammad Tofayel Ahmed, confirmed the incident and stated that the situation was brought under control promptly. “The advisors safely reached Haripur Guest House by around 12:30 PM,” he said.
Goainghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ratan Kumar Adhikari noted that the officials had already left the immediate area before noon.
Earlier in the day, Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan reiterated the government’s commitment to environmental protection during an interaction with journalists.
“No more stone extraction will be allowed in areas like Jaflong, which are known for their unique natural beauty,” she said. “We have already engaged with the Ministry of Tourism to explore alternative livelihoods through eco-friendly tourism for those dependent on stone collection.”
She further stressed that the government would no longer issue new quarry leases in Sylhet, adding that efforts were underway to create a more sustainable, tourism-friendly environment.
“Strict legal action will be taken against those involved in illegal stone mining. These activities are destroying our natural heritage and causing significant revenue losses, especially due to the use of overweight trucks,” she added.
Advisor Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan echoed similar concerns, criticising illegal sand and stone extraction for damaging the region. “Stone extraction from this area will not be permitted for the time being.
Crusher machines operating in violation of environmental guidelines will have their electricity supply cut off,” he said. “If developed properly, Sylhet’s tourist sites can generate more revenue than the remittances currently coming from abroad.”
Both advisors participated in a stakeholder meeting at the Sylhet Circuit House later in the day, where they discussed issues including environmental protection, river and forest conservation, and water management in the Sylhet region. They urged stronger inter-departmental coordination and action against environmental violations.
Among the directives issued by Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan were a ban on single-use plastic in government offices, public awareness signage against hill-cutting, and removal of Akashmoni trees – considered detrimental to flood management-in favour of planting native species.
She also called for an end to power supply to unauthorised stone crushing units.
Advisor Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan further encouraged the use of fallow agricultural land for cultivation to strengthen food security.
Senior officials present at the meeting included Energy and Mineral Resources Secretary Md Saiful Islam, Sylhet Divisional Commissioner Khan Md Reza-un-Nabi, Deputy Commissioner Md Sher Mahbub Murad, Divisional Forest Officer Md Humayun Kabir, and Sylhet Department of Environment Director Ferdous Anwar.
Earlier, the two advisors visited various parts of Jaflong by boat and held discussions on developing eco-tourism in the area. They also participated in a tree plantation programme at the Jaflong Stone Museum and Haripur Rest House.
