A NATIONAL daily on Thursday reported that unrestrained stone extraction in 200 streambeds across the Bandarban hill district jeopardized the livelihoods of 11 ethnic groups and extracted a toll on the biological diversity of the forest. Unabated stone mining is taking place right under the nose of the local administration in five upazilas of the hilly locality. But they are seemingly unaware to the possible danger of unplanned stone extraction. However, the illegal practice is not only endangering wildlife and forest biodiversity but also impacting the lives of the people in the hills. At present, there is no alternative but to punish the perpetrators for extracting stones from the streambeds.
People in the hilly terrains are highly dependent on the springs for water for drinking, irrigation, fishing, washing and household chores. The hills also nurture a rich biotic community of snakes, frogs, some deer and pigs. A survey research has discovered that the streams on the hills are drying up as the tributaries are unable to hold the water without the stone bedding, resulting in ecological imbalance.
Locals said they are accustomed to seeing labourers in the streams breaking large boulders with hammers into small pieces and carrying them into vans to be taken away; these stones are mostly used in construction and road repairs. They said such mindless extraction is directly affecting the people residing in the hills. Besides, these streams from the hills meet the Sangu River that stretches over 170 kilometres in Bandarban, crossing Ruma, Thanchi and Ruyangchhori upazilas on both sides. The Sangu River is very important to the people in these upazilas, as they depend on its waterways to carry crops and other essentials. Boat transportation on the river is highly affected as a result of decreased water flow in the hills.
The local administration, officials of the Forest Division and law enforcers play an inactive role in containing the menace. There are widespread allegations that a section of government officials and local headmen are profiting from the illegal business while trucks carrying stone pass different check points without any hassle.
We urge the District Administration to take tough action against the stone miners in a bid to preserve the ecology, biodiversity and human settlements in the hilly terrains.
