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Sylhet, June 22, 2025: Unabated illegal stone quarrying in Sylhet’s stone quarries has wreaked havoc on its renowned tourism destinations, including Jaflong, Bisnakandi, Sadapather, and Bholaganj. According to a report by Kalabela, these ecologically sensitive areas, known for their natural beauty, are being systematically destroyed by a rampant stone mafia allegedly led by leaders and activists of BNP, Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, and Shramik Dal.
Despite interventions by authorities, including the disconnection of electricity to 300 illegal crusher machines across four upazilas, the looting continues unabated. The situation worsened after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, when law and order collapsed, enabling the plunder of stones and sand worth approximately Tk 2,000 crore in a single day. Local residents claim that the administration’s inaction and complicity have emboldened the culprits.
On June 14, 2025, two interim government advisers, Syeda Rizwana Hasan (Environment, Forest, and Climate Change) and Mohammad Fouzul Kabir Khan (Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources), visited Jaflong, a declared Ecologically Critical Area (ECA). Their convoy was obstructed by stone and sand traders, led by local BNP and affiliate leaders, demanding the reopening of closed quarries. The situation was eventually controlled by police and BGB forces after nearly half an hour.
Since Jaflong was declared an ECA on November 14, 2015, periodic monitoring recorded 374 million cubic feet of stones in stock as of July 26, 2024. Post-August 5 looting reduced this by approximately 100 million cubic feet, valued at over Tk 100 crore. Illegal sand extraction has further compounded the environmental damage.
Locals allege that after the government banned quarrying years ago, illegal operations continued under the patronage of former MP Imran Ahmad’s associates, Subhas Das and Fazlul Haque. Following the August 5 regime change, control shifted to BNP and its affiliates. The Sylhet Environment Department has filed nine cases against 226 individuals for stone looting in Jaflong since August 2024, with one arrest made on April 27, 2025. Additionally, 40 people were named in a case filed on January 23, 2025, for stone extraction at Shah Arefin Tila in Companiganj, but no arrests have been made.
Environmentalists and locals fear that continued looting could render these tourism spots barren. Abdul Karim Kim, an environmental activist, criticized the administration’s failure to curb the plunder, while Faruk Mahmud of Sushasaner Jonno Nagorik (Sujon) expressed dismay at the ongoing destruction. The Sylhet Deputy Commissioner, Sher Mohammad Mahbub Murad, claimed measures like disconnecting illegal crusher machines and deploying magistrates are underway, but locals remain skeptical.
AI/MR
