Stone extraction from Sherpur hill going on unabated
Monday, 14 September 2009
SHERPUR, Sept 13 (UNB): Stone extraction from hill is going on unabated in the bordering Garo Hills area in Nalitabari Upazila here, posing a threat to human lives and environment of the area.
Local environmental activists said the unabated hill cutting for stone extraction has become a threat to the local people as it may cause big landslide any time.
The stone traders' syndicate members are continuing their illegal business despite protest by the local people.
Local people said the nearby rivers and canals have been losing navigability as sand is accumulated on the riverbeds due to stone extraction through hill cutting.
Visiting different areas it was found that a road was built by cutting hill and the stone traders, after extraction are sending the stones to other places by truck or trolley.
Jahurun Begum, a resident of Batakuchi village, said they are selling the stones collected from the hill at Tk 10 per cft.
Local people alleged that the stone traders have been doing the illegal business after bribing the forest department officials and law enforcers.
However, police, BDR and forest department officials have denied the allegation.
Local people also alleged that stone traders' syndicate members assaulted a local journalist recently as he reported against their illegal work.
Police seized six stone laden trolleys on August 12 which were released later due to unknown reasons, they said.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Jahirul Islam said he was not aware of it and henceforth he would take stern action against the illegal stone extraction.
Local environmental activists said the unabated hill cutting for stone extraction has become a threat to the local people as it may cause big landslide any time.
The stone traders' syndicate members are continuing their illegal business despite protest by the local people.
Local people said the nearby rivers and canals have been losing navigability as sand is accumulated on the riverbeds due to stone extraction through hill cutting.
Visiting different areas it was found that a road was built by cutting hill and the stone traders, after extraction are sending the stones to other places by truck or trolley.
Jahurun Begum, a resident of Batakuchi village, said they are selling the stones collected from the hill at Tk 10 per cft.
Local people alleged that the stone traders have been doing the illegal business after bribing the forest department officials and law enforcers.
However, police, BDR and forest department officials have denied the allegation.
Local people also alleged that stone traders' syndicate members assaulted a local journalist recently as he reported against their illegal work.
Police seized six stone laden trolleys on August 12 which were released later due to unknown reasons, they said.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Jahirul Islam said he was not aware of it and henceforth he would take stern action against the illegal stone extraction.