DoE destroys 19 stone crushing machines

A mobile court of the Department of Environment (DoE) in Sylhet conducted a drive yesterday morning against stone crushing operations, which were running illegally on the bank of River Surma in Kadamtali Ferighat area in the city.

The mobile court, led by DoE Director Israt Jahan Panna, destroyed belts and engines of 19 stone crusher machines and seized some materials.

The court also stopped illegal sand extraction in the river, destroying the engine of a dredger machine. The court seized the keys of the boat that was carrying the dredger machine.

Israt Jahan Panna, director of DoE in Sylhet, said, “After repeated notices to these illegal stone crushing operations, the DoE finally conducted the drive and such drives will be continued in the future.”

Rampant use of stone crusher machines is causing serious pollution, along with social and health problems at six upazilas in Sylhet district.

Violating the Stone Crusher Machine Establishing Rules-2006, many stone crusher machines are being operated in these upazilas and on the bank of rivers Surma, Dholai, Singra, Katagang, Sari etc in Sylhet.

Environmentalists, along with concerned citizens have long been urging the administration to take strict measures in this regard to stop illegal operation of stone crushers to protect the environment.