Illegal sand extraction threatens the Padma

Uncontrolled sand extraction is taking place at several points along the Padma River in Daulatpur and Bheramara upazilas of Kushtia, posing a serious threat to the environment as well as to the lives and livelihoods of local people. The indiscriminate use of dredgers for sand extraction is accelerating riverbank erosion, putting nearby agricultural land, homes, roads and other vital infrastructure at grave risk. If this continues unchecked, many families may lose their property and be forced to relocate.

According to the Balumahal and Soil Management Act, 2010, extracting sand without proper authorisation is a punishable offence. Even so, illegal sand extraction continues unabated. Reports suggest that influential groups are engaged in these activities either by evading law enforcement or with covert support from vested interests. As a result, communities living along the riverbanks remain in constant fear of losing their land, homes and means of livelihood. Besides causing extensive environmental degradation, illegal sand mining also disrupts the natural flow of the river, threatens aquatic biodiversity and increases the risk of flooding and erosion during the monsoon season.

Immediate intervention by the authorities is essential. Law enforcement agencies must strengthen surveillance along the river, conduct regular drives against illegal dredging and ensure strict enforcement of existing laws. Those responsible should be brought to justice regardless of their influence. At the same time, the government should adopt long-term river management strategies, including scientific monitoring and riverbank protection measures, to preserve the ecological balance of the Padma River and safeguard the interests of the people who depend on it.

Muhammad Shafayat Hussain

Student

Kushtia Government College, Kushtia

kobishafayat@gmail.com