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Dhalai river at the mercy of sand traders

vessels carry sand extracted from the Dhalai river to dispatch it to traders.

Posted on August 29, 2022

An authorised balumahal (sand quarry) leaseholder has been extracting sand from the banks of Dhalai river in Sylhet’s Companiganj, posing a serious threat to the environment.

The bordering upazila has been enduring environmental devastation due to illegal stone extraction from hillocks for decades until it came to a halt in 2020.

The trans-boundary river’s balumahal was leased out by Sylhet District Administration on August 7 to Pragati Enterprise — against a bid of Tk 2.79 crore — excluding taxes.

The lessee was the sole bidder in the fifth episode of tender for the sand quarry.

The leaseholder has been violating selected terms of “Sand Quarry and Soil Management Act 2010” and “Sand Quarry and Soil Management Rules 2011” since the very beginning of the extraction.

According to section 5 of the act, no bulkhead dredger can be used while extracting sand. Only industrial dredgers can be used, which can dredge while protecting the slope of the river and maintaining the uniform level of the riverbed.

Though residents of the riverbank have protested the extraction attempt outside the leased area, this illegal act continues unabated.

According to section 5 of the act, no bulkhead dredger can be used while extracting sand. Only industrial dredgers can be used, which can dredge while protecting the slope of the river and maintaining the uniform level of the riverbed.

The rules further elaborate the act and obligate the leaseholder to follow a hydrographic survey to extract sand accordingly.

Hydrographic survey is the science of measurement and description of features which affect maritime navigation, marine construction, dredging and related activities.

As dredgers continue to extract sand illegally outside their designated leased areas.

Meanwhile, section 4 of the act also states that no commercial dredging will be allowed if the dredging has the potential to cause river erosion or damage the river’s geology.

While visiting the river and sand extraction area recently, this correspondent witnessed that bulkhead dredgers were being used to extract sand. The dredgers were seen lifting sand from near the bank without maintaining the slope.

“They are trying to extract sand from outside the leased area from the very beginning. They extract from a land very close to the riverbank, making way for river erosion so that they can extract more when it occurs,” said Humayun Rashid Humon, a resident of Kalabari village on the riverbank.

“Extraction attempts outside the leased area have already put a public playground in the village under threat,” he added.

Locals also alleged that illegal extraction has damaged a river protection dyke near Dhalarpar village.

Abdul Hye Al-Hadi, coordinator of Save the Heritage and Environment, said, “Dhalai lost its natural flow due to stone and sand extraction, but the situation got better after the extraction was stopped a few years back.”

“But the administration again leased part of the riverbank, making way for the leaseholder to violate extraction laws.”

Contacted, Mojir Uddin, proprietor of Pragati Enterprise and deputy office secretary of Awami League Sylhet district unit, said, “We are not breaking any law. The deed signed with the administration does not mention a prohibition on bulkhead dredgers. We are not extracting outside the designated area.”

Its aftermath is reflected on the riverbank and a playground in Companiganj.

About dredging right near the bank, he said he will look into the matter and will alert the dredgers to extract according to the rules.

Contacted, Companiganj UNO Lushi Kant Hajong said, “After repeated mobile court drives even at 4:00am, we did not find any violation. If the leaseholders are found violating the rules, we will terminate the lease contract and will take legal action against the leaseholder.”

Mohammad Mobarak Hossain, additional deputy commissioner (revenue) of Sylhet, said, “We are very cautious about any violation of the existing law, and we will alert the leaseholder to extract sand accordingly.”

Asked about the use of bulkhead dredgers, he said some terms need to be overlooked considering the feasibility of using industrial dredger.

Source

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