The Forest Department has raised objections against leasing sand quarries within the protected forests of Chakaria and Ramu upazilas in Cox’s Bazar.
In response to the district administration’s leasing plans for the 1432 Bengali year, the Cox’s Bazar North Forest Division has formally objected to leasing three sand quarries within the protected forest areas. A letter detailing these concerns has been sent to the Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner, the Chattogram Forest Conservator, and other relevant authorities.
A memorandum signed by Md. Maruf Hossain, the Divisional Officer of Cox’s Bazar North Forest Division, outlined the rationale for canceling the leases on Tuesday (March 18).
The disputed sand quarries are Khutakhali-1 (Khutakhali Beat, Chakaria Upazila), Dhalirchhara (Dhalirchhara Beat, Ramu Upazila), and Panirchhara Canal (Meherghona Range).
The memorandum highlights that under Section 4(b) of the Sand and Soil Management (Amendment) Act 2023, extracting sand or soil is prohibited within one kilometer of bridges, culverts, dams, embankments, roads, highways, railways, forests, or significant government and private infrastructure, including residential areas.
The Khutakhali-1 sand quarry is located between the reserved forest areas of Junglekhutakhali Mouza and Khutakhali Mouza. Previous leases led to severe damage to the Junglekhutakhali reserved forest and altered the flow of a nearby canal, which now primarily runs through the protected forest.
Authorities have previously conducted multiple operations against illegal sand mining in these areas between November 2017 and March 2021.
The Forest Department has consistently opposed sand quarry leases in these areas, citing environmental damage and legal violations.
By Abdur Rashid Manik
Photo: Collected
