A local group in Thakurgaon is illegally extracting sand from Tangon River in Dholarhat area and Kulik River in Ranisankail Upazila of the district.
This local group is extracting sand from two to three points in Tangon River and at least eight points in Kulik River from morning till midnight. They are making a good profit by selling the extracted sand.
Meanwhile in Ranisankail upazila, some local influential people are extracting sand from morning till evening from the river ghat of Rautnagar Modghypara village in Hosengaon union, the river ghat adjacent to Rautnagar graveyard, Rasunpur Kulik River in Lehemba union and Umradanga bridge area. The extracted sand is carried in truck and each truck load of sand is sold at Tk 800 to Tk 1500.
People of Hindu community said the cremation grounds near the river in Moholbari and Sundarpur area being destroyed due to uncontrolled sand extraction.
Soil erosion is occurring near the sand extraction sites, and the quality of the soil is deteriorating as well. The fertility of the soil is being destroyed due to the decline of the groundwater level. Moreover, it is becoming increasingly difficult to access water from tube wells. Research findings have shown that these negative impacts are endangering the natural environment.
The air pollution caused by sand extraction is increasing health risks for people. Changes in the plant and animal life are not only destroying their habitats but also their sources of food. As a result, the process of reproduction among the fishes is being disrupted, and agricultural land is also being damaged.
Some sand traders say that sand is being extracted from the river throughout the entire upazila. They question what is wrong with them doing it. They also added that sand extraction is being carried out by managing the administration.
Ranisankail Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Rockybul Hasan said we have fined some people due to illegally extracting sand from the river. However, if anyone continues to extract sand despite this, action will be taken against them according to government regulations.
