Sand syndicates thrive across Netrakona

Despite repeated government restrictions, illegal sand extraction from various rivers in Netrakona shows no signs of slowing down.

Unscrupulous traders are using dredger machines day and night, turning it into a booming business while disregarding official bans, alleged locals.

This rampant extraction poses a serious threat to riverside farmlands, homesteads, roads, religious establishments, marketplaces, and government infrastructure. It is also causing significant environmental degradation.

According to the Revenue Department of the District Administration, there were once seven authorised sand quarries in the district. However, following a High Court directive, five sand quarries on the Someshwari River in Durgapur and one on the Mahadeo River in Kalmakanda have been shut down.

Currently, only one legal sand quarry remains -- in Bobahala mouza on the Gomai River in Sadar upazila, covering 14.58 acres. It has been leased to a contractor firm named Arif Enterprise for Tk 625,000.

There are, however, allegations that the lessee is extracting sand beyond the authorised area. He is reportedly operating dredgers near the Sidhli Bridge in Kailati Union, Kalmakanda.

A recent field visit confirmed sand extraction just 70 metres from the bridge, where a large boat was using a dredger to pile sand on the shore.

Locals have accused former Union Parishad chairman Rubel Bhuiyan of involvement in the illegal activity.

Asked, Rubel denied the charges while Arif claimed he was operating within legal boundaries.

In another instance, sand is being extracted from the Mirkatli River in Gaokandia Union, Durgapur, allegedly under the pretext of repairing the Krishnapur-Munsipara road.

Local Jubo Dal leader Shuvo Ahmed has been named in connection. On Sunday afternoon, he was seen supervising sand extraction with a dredger and delivering it to the roadside.

Asked, he said, "I am doing it to ease the suffering of locals... what's wrong with that?"

Illegal sand mining also continues at night in several parts of Rangchhati Union in Kalmakanda upazila, including Krishnapur, Hasanagaon, Omargaon, Diarkanda, and Bishorposha.

On Tuesday, a mobile court conducted a raid in Diarkanda, fined the perpetrators Tk 50,000, and seized the extracted sand.

Across the district, influential syndicates are reportedly running illegal sand extraction businesses in areas such as Barhatta, Khaliajuri, Sadar, Lengura, Mangalshwari, Telsindur, Shimulia, Chakua, and Rasulpur.

Although local authorities have conducted some raids, they have failed to bring the situation under control.

Dilwar Khan, a member of Bela's Netrakona chapter, said, "Administrative action alone isn't enough, we need the active participation of law enforcement and civil society to stop this illegal practice."

Md Abdullah Al Matin, assistant director of the Department of Environment in Netrakona, said, "Even with a lease, environmental clearance is mandatory. If anyone violates this requirement, legal action will be taken."

Contacted, Deputy Commissioner Banani Biswas said, "Currently, there is only one legal sand quarry in the district. We are taking action wherever illegal sand extraction is reported, and these operations will continue."