Bholaganj Shada Pathor in Sylhet, a popular tourist destination, is experiencing widespread stone looting despite the presence of four Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) camps nearby. Since 5 August last year, continuous extraction has severely impacted the area, turning once-stone-covered sites into barren, sandy patches and dug-up land. Locals and environmental activists claim that approximately 1.5 crore cubic feet of stones, valued over Tk 200 crore, have been stolen, along with significant amounts of sand.
During a recent visit, hundreds of boats were observed transporting stones from the Dhalai River source, further depleting the site. Both large and small stones have been stripped from parts of the area. Companyganj Police have filed 15 cases and made around 70 arrests, but officials argue that permanent prevention will require a large-scale operation.
Despite informing tourism and district officials about the ongoing issue, authorities have remained unresponsive. Visitors to the area are growing increasingly concerned, fearing that the site may lose its charm and attractiveness if the looting continues unchecked.
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