Bangladesh, July 24 -- Illegal silica sand extraction continues in hill streams across Moulvibazar despite a High Court order restricting quarry operations, raising concerns over environmental damage, revenue losses and weak enforcement.
According to local reports, sand is being extracted from streams including Deochhara, Sunchhara, Japlachhara and Lauachhara in Kamalganj upazila, damaging stream embankments, hillocks, roads and nearby agricultural land.
There are 33 approved silica sand quarries in Moulvibazar. In 2013, the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) identified 51 hilly areas in the district as silica sand zones, of which 19 were leased for non-mechanical extraction.Bangladesh Business Analysis
Following allegat...