Manmade problem multiplies miseries in CHT

Hills in certain areas, already made vulnerable by the July 27 tremor and aftershocks, will crumble if this continues, sources said.

The illegal extraction continues almost throughout the year in connivance with a section of Forest Department officials and others concerned, which increases during the winter.

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Although strictly prohibited, explosives are often used to extract stones, said a Water Development Board (WDB) official who witnessed the illegal extraction. A section WDB contractors are involved in it, he said.

Stones are in good demand and fetch hefty profit as those are used for construction of roads and bridges and protection of riverbanks, he said

As stones available from CHT regions are economically attractive, illegal extractors operate in about 55 spot, said a Forest Department official.

On an average, six tonnes of stone are collected from each spot during winter and explosives are often sued as the earth becomes harder then, he said.

The spots are Wagga, Narayangiri, Doluchhari, Boraichhari, Shilchhari, Rampahar, Sitapahar, Arachhari, Chitmoram, Manikchhori, Sapchhori, Ghagra and Kalmichhari in Rangamati; Roangchhari, Ruma and Lama in Bandarban and some places in Khagrachhori, they said.

The illegal extractors are not only destroying the hills and the ecology but also depriving the government of big amounts of royalty.

About 50 to 60 thousand cubic feet of stones are extracted from CHT region yearly against government permits of up to two thousand cubic feet. The permits are issued by a section of officials through underhand, sources said.

When contacted, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Shyam Shundar Sikder said he did not issue any permit in last one year. Action will be taken as per law against the illegal extraction, he said.

He suggested this correspondent to contact relevant Upazila Nirbahee Officers and Union Parishad Chairmen to find out how the permits are issued.