Bangladesh, March 19 -- A widespread "festival" of cutting soil from cropland is underway in different areas of Chatmohar upazila in Pabna. Ponds are being dug on cropland across various unions of the upazila, both day and night. The excavated soil is being sold to illegal brick kilns operating in the area.

Despite the situation being visible, the administration has yet to take effective action, allowing soil grabbers to act with impunity. As a result, biodiversity and the environment are under threat. Rural roads are also being severely damaged by soil transport, making many of them nearly impassable.

It has been alleged that these activities are being carried out with the direct support of local political leaders and under the protect...