Country's 1st geological museum to be set up in Jaflong

SYLHET, Sept 21 (UNB): The Bangladesh Bureau of Mineral Development (BMD) plans to set up the country's first 'geological museum' at Jaflong in Gowainghatupazila of Sylhet to stop stone extraction in the Ecologically Critical Area (ECA).

The BMD has already started the process as GowainghatUpazilaNirbahi Officer (UNO) NazmusShakib confirmed the matter.

The BMD informed the GowainghatUpazila administration about the plan in a letter last week in the wake of preparations to stop the illegal stone extraction by putting up signboards with the instructions of the High Court.

According to the GowainghatUpazila administration, in 2012, the High Court directed Jaflong to be declared an ECA, in response to an application by the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA).

A notification was issued on February 18, 2015 declaring Jaflong an ECA and on January 11, 2016, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources conferred 'geological heritage' status on Jaflong. In this, 22.59 acres of land in Jaflong was declared as reserved area.

Meanwhile, an organisation called M/S Jalalabad Lime Manufacturers and Trading Association, in a letter dated August 17, 2020 claimed that they took acquisition of the protected area in Jaflong in 1972.

An official letter on the establishment of a geological museum said 25.59 acres of land have been declared a geological heritage in the national interest for the protection of open rock, limestone and for purposes of research.

Signed by BMD Director General Mohammad Zafar Ullah, the letter said an international standard geological museum will be built on that land.

Any other organisation including Jalalabad Lime Manufacturers and Trading Association should refrain from quarrying in the area specified, it said.

A Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) outpost is likely to be damaged if stones are quarried in and around Sonatila in Jaflong.

In the interests of national security and towards implementing the development plan adopted by the government, BMD is also preparing to deal with any legal issues that may arise.