Bangladesh’s High Court has ordered authorities to stop illegal silica sand mining in Habiganj, assess environmental and economic damage, identify offenders, and submit a compliance report within three months.
The High Court of Bangladesh has directed authorities to assess the environmental and economic damage caused by illegal and unregulated silica sand mining in Habiganj district and prepare a list of those involved for strict legal action. Officials have been ordered to submit a compliance report to the court within three months.
The ruling came on February 22 after a preliminary hearing of a writ petition filed by the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA). The bench, comprising Justices Fahmida Kader and Asif Hasan, issued the order alongside a rule questioning why government agencies had failed to prevent illegal sand extraction from Madhabpur, Chunarughat and Bahubal upazilas despite clear regulations under a 2013 government gazette notification.
The court instructed the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, the Directorate General of Mines and Minerals, district authorities and local executives to immediately halt all unlawful sand extraction activities. Authorities are also required to evaluate the damage caused, identify offenders, impose appropriate penalties and recover compensation.
BELA’s legal team, led by Barrister Mohammad Ashraf Ali with assistance from Advocate S. Hasanul Banna, represented the petitioner, while Deputy Attorney General Muhammad Shafiqur Rahman appeared for the state.
According to BELA, Habiganj has 23 silica sand sites, most of them located within tea plantations. Many of these areas have seen unauthorized extraction due to insufficient oversight, even though the sites have not been leased. Local media reports and resident testimonies indicate widespread illegal mining in multiple areas, including the Sutang River in Deorgach Union, the Daragao tea estate in Satiajuri and various other local streams and hills.
The reports also highlight the use of prohibited dredger machines, causing noise pollution and creating large pits. Unplanned extraction has weakened hillsides and increased the risk of landslides, posing threats to human lives and the environment.
The High Court’s ruling reflects growing concerns about unregulated mining activities across Bangladesh, where resource extraction often collides with environmental protection and public safety. International observers note that silica sand is a high-demand industrial mineral used in glass manufacturing, construction and electronics, making regulatory oversight critical to balancing economic needs with sustainability.
Authorities now face the challenge of fully implementing the court’s directives, ensuring accountability and preventing further environmental degradation in one of Bangladesh’s ecologically sensitive regions.
