Stop illegal sand mining from Padma

We are concerned by the illegal sand extraction along the Padma River in Kushtia, which has persisted despite a High Court ban and repeated government restrictions. Reportedly, large-scale dredging continues in the district’s Daulatpur and Bheramara upazilas guarded by armed gangs and allegedly backed by certain political and business quarters. These activities have put vast stretches of riverside farmland, residential homes, and protective embankments at risk.

According to a Banik Barta report, multiple dredging machines are extracting sand day and night at various points in Daulatpur and Bheramara, altering the river’s natural course there and increasing the risk of erosion. In several areas, fertile croplands have already been swallowed by the river, while others have been rendered unusable. Thousands of families in Philipnagar and Moricha unions have reportedly lost homesteads and cultivable land over the years. Violence linked to sand mining has also increased, including a recent shooting incident that left a local resident injured. Moreover, sand extraction is occurring dangerously close to the protective embankments, weakening their foundations and raising the risk of flooding. The entire situation is deeply worrying and demands urgent government intervention.

Unfortunately, Kushtia is not the only region facing this threat. A 2023 study by the River and Delta Research Centre found illegal sand extraction at 132 unauthorised sites across 77 rivers in the country, including major waterways such as the Padma, Jamuna, Meghna, Brahmaputra, and Surma. Local political figures were, and remain, involved in many of these operations. Influential business groups are also reportedly involved in some cases.

Experts warn that riverbed sand acts as a natural shield against strong currents, helping prevent erosion and supporting aquatic ecosystems. Unplanned and excessive dredging at specific points destabilises the entire river system, disrupts fish breeding habitats, and can permanently alter a river’s course. As experts caution, if illegal extraction continues, not only Kushtia but also other downstream regions such as Pabna may face widespread agricultural loss and displacement.

We urge the government to take concrete measures in this regard. Occasional drives against illegal sand mining will not suffice. The local administration, police, and the Kushtia Water Development Board must coordinate effectively to curb this environmentally destructive practice. Allegations of collusion, whether involving the local administration or river police, must also be investigated properly. Most importantly, the High Court’s directive in this regard must be enforced without exception. Sand should be extracted only from authorised sites, and those involved in illegal mining must be held accountable.