Leaders of ‘Dhoritri Rokkhay Amra (We for Protecting Earth- Dhora)’, a civic platform on environment and climate change issues; visited Sadapathar tourist area at Companiganj in Sylhet on Saturday to observe the latest situation of white stone places there.
Sharif Jamil, member secretary of Dhora and also coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh; led the delegation. Professor Dr. Mohammad Zahirul Haque, vice chancellor of Sylhet Metropolitan University; Dr. Shahjaman Chowdhury Bahar, trustee of Environment and Heritage Conservation Trust; Advocate Golam Sobhan Chowdhury, lawyer of Bangladesh Supreme Court; Abdul Karim Kim, central executive member of Dhora; Tofazzal Sohel, coordinator of Haor Rakkyai Amra; Shahan Mazumder, Dhora’s organiser in New York; and Ruhul Quddus, a social worker Ruhul Quddus; were present at the time.
The delegation expressed satisfaction that there was a stop to stone quarrying through bomb machines. The ban on use of all types of machines in stone quarries is good decision.
However, the delegation found the truth about the looting of stones accumulated in the Sadapathar area during the recent political change. The delegation did not see any activity of the tourism authority or the tourist police at the tourist center. They noticed the mismanagement of the locals who are eager to provide the various needs of the tourists.
Various hotel restaurants are seen selling open and unhealthy food items. The delegation members talked to the tourists during their visit.
Sharif Jamil told The Bangladesh Post that the tourists face suffering due to high fares for the engine boat transport. They believe that this problem would be alleviated if the fares are taken separately.
Regarding stone quarrying, the delegation believes that it is preferable to stop mechanical stone quarrying and continue the traditional characteristics and flow of Dhalai River through controlled and scientifically based stone extraction.
The delegation observed that due to the implementation of uncontrolled large scale projects across the border, the white stone in the construction waste coming down from the upstream is adversely affecting the natural environment of the concerned area.
