Editorial
Stone extraction from underground
No leniency to the violators of law
We are concerned at the unabated extraction of underground stones of various sizes with the help of machines despite a government ban. The extraction process has created large holes in some areas of Jafflong and Bholaganj, thereby completely altering the structure of earth below. According to environmentalists, for centuries boulders and small stones coming down with water from hills and mountains have been depositing underneath the top soil in the plain lands and in the riverbeds of Bangladesh. Over time these stones went deeper into the earth and became a part of the earth structure. Therefore, extraction of the stones quickens the process of loosening of the earth deep below. It is therefore not surprising that environmental scientists and activists would express their fear that such distortion of nature might trigger a severe environmental disaster in the near future. We wonder what stops the authorities concerned from taking stern action against the violators of the law.
In February, the Department of Environment (DoE) announced a ban on the use of machines to dig large holes in the ground to dig out stones. This administrative action allegedly came only after a series of demonstrations staged by environmental activists and experts. Reportedly, the ban worked for a while but the corrupt merchants and officials of the departments concerned have come back to the scene and started the extraction work again disregarding the government order.
We understand, the ban is on the use of extraction machines but not on manual collection, which does not destroy the land. On the contrary, machines destroy the land and earth below, therefore, it must not be allowed to be used at any cost. The damage done by the machines can be figured out from the statistics that when 20 people can collect a truck of stone, or 5 tonnes a day, an extractor can collect 500 tonnes. It needs no emphasising that such uncontrolled extraction from riverbeds is causing severe damage to the natural features of the rivers in the area. According to the DoE office in Sylhet, it has already changed the course of the Piyain river to some extent, risking river erosion, flash floods and soil pollution.
We believe it is a matter of immediate and utmost concern and the government should form an expert committee to carry out research on devising safer and environment-friendly forms of stone extraction. This would not only save the rivers and the environment in general but also help the people in the area to earn a living through manual extraction of stones.
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