The High Court has imposed a four-month ban on dredging and sand extraction from the Bhoruakhali and Bankkhali river mouths in Maheshkhali Channel, Cox’s Bazar.
A High Court bench comprising Justice Khizir Ahmed Chowdhury and Justice A.F.M. Saiful Karim issued the order on September 3, directing the concerned parties to refrain from extracting sand from the areas until the hearing of a rule filed in the matter.
The writ petition was filed in the public interest by journalist Md Joynal Abedin, president of the Maheshkhali Press Club, who alleged that sand was being extracted in violation of conditions attached to government permission.
According to the petition, contractor Tokyo-MIL-JV was authorised by the Cox’s Bazar district administration to extract sand from the Hamidardia and Thakurtala mouzas for a project related to the construction of a connecting road to the Matarbari deep-sea port. However, the company was allegedly extracting sand from other areas, including Maheshkhali Channel and the mouths near Adinath Hill and Bankkhali.
The allegations also include violations of extraction conditions. While permission reportedly required the use of an 18-inch cutter dredger, locals allege that a 12-inch suction dredger was being used instead, potentially harming the marine and coastal environment.
There are further allegations that the company began extraction without obtaining the required environmental clearance or completing an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Earlier, on July 21, the Department of Environment’s Chattogram regional office fined Tokyo-MIL-JV Tk 5,037,780 for allegedly extracting sand from Maheshkhali Channel without environmental clearance. Locals, however, allege that extraction continued despite the fine.
Joynal Abedin said he had informed the Cox’s Bazar deputy commissioner about the High Court order on September 9. He expressed concern that unregulated sand extraction could cause serious environmental damage and increase the risk of erosion and other threats to the island.
Maheshkhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer Imran Mahmud Dalim said he had not yet received official instructions regarding the court order and that necessary action would be taken in accordance with the law once the instructions were received.
Cox’s Bazar Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) also said the administration had been informed of the order and would review it before taking further legal steps.
The High Court order is expected to halt sand extraction from the two specified river mouths for four months, with local residents now watching how the authorities implement the directive.
