Sharif Jamil is the Coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh and an Executive Member of the US-based international organization Waterkeeper Alliance. He is also the Member Secretary of Dhoritri Rokhhay Amra (DHORA). He has been playing an active role on environmental and climate issues at local, national, regional, and international levels. Sharif Jamil also served as the General Secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA). He was born and raised in Habiganj. The interview was conducted by Mahfuzur Rahman Manik, Senior Associate Editor of Samakal.

---

Samakal: Recently, you staged a ‘Citizen Bonding’ program protesting stone extraction in Bholaganj, where you said that turning Meghalaya into a death trap over our heads is like committing collective suicide, and that it is difficult to control. What did you mean?

Sharif Jamil: Most of the stone extraction takes place in the Bangladesh–India border area, at the foothills of the high Meghalaya mountains. Because of geological structures, different minerals and stones naturally roll down from the mountains. But when soil or stones are removed from the foothills, it creates the risk of massive and sudden collapses. Traditional barqi boats were once used to collect naturally rolled-down stones. The trend of using machines started in the 1980s during Ershad’s rule, when some traders began extracting sand and stones with excavators in Jaflong. If stones are extracted faster than they are naturally supplied, it disrupts the ecological balance. That’s inevitable.

Samakal: So, there is a tolerable limit for stone extraction?

Sharif Jamil: Yes, there is. Earlier, only the naturally rolled-down stones were collected using boats. But that balance no longer exists. Excessive extraction over the years has already destroyed the ecosystem. From my childhood, I saw that only the excess stones rolling down were taken with barqi boats. But now, mountains are being dug with machines, creating a serious risk of collapses even from 3,000 feet high. If you visit Borpunji, you’ll realize how close the hills are. In Uttar Bardal Union of Taherpur, you’ll see how devastating and destructive landslides have become. And this reckless extraction isn’t limited to one place.

Samakal: Currently, the discussion is mostly about white stones.

Sharif Jamil: Yes. In Bholaganj’s tourist spot, even the remaining white stones are disappearing, which has sparked a major debate. But it’s not only Bholaganj. In Jaflong, Lovachhora, Utmachhara, Bichanakandi, and surrounding areas, stones have long been extracted by excavators and suction machines. From the beginning, we protested, demanding a ban on machine-based extraction. Every year, we hear in the media how tourists drown in quicksand in Sylhet’s tourist spots. Many workers have also died from hill collapses. The root cause is machine-based stone extraction. When mountains are cut, their shape changes, creating quicksand pits. This doesn’t just cause deaths or landslides; rivers and canals get filled, leading to floods in new areas. Sylhet’s frequent waterlogging and floods are partly linked to this, along with other natural disasters.

Samakal: For example?

Sharif Jamil: The diversion of the Piyain River is one example. When the Piyain at Jaflong changed its course, Colonel Gulzar, then BDR commander, urged the ministry to call a meeting over border concerns. Later, under Environment Minister Hasan Mahmud, an inter-ministerial meeting was held where we pointed out that uncontrolled stone extraction was the cause. The government then decided to halt all machine extraction until a scientific study determined how much could safely be harvested. Although it stopped for a while, it restarted soon after. BELA later went to court, and Jaflong was declared an environmentally critical area, banning stone extraction. Yet, it still continues.

Samakal: Why did the issue come to greater attention after the fall of the government on August 5?

Sharif Jamil: Previously, syndicates controlled by the ruling party managed it. Whenever governments changed, control shifted hands, creating crises. After August 5, when the Awami League fell, its syndicate disappeared, leading to a free-for-all looting. Here, raw money is at play, and local influential figures jumped in.

Samakal: Recent reports say political parties are uniting to support stone extraction.

Sharif Jamil: I believe no political party should support this. If they do, it’s either due to misunderstanding or vested interests. At the local level, politicians may support it, but nationally, no politician should back such corruption and environmental destruction. Employment is cited as an excuse. But think of it this way: if people start looting trains, that too creates “employment.” Does that mean we should legalize it?

Samakal: How has stone extraction affected Sylhet’s tourism potential?

Sharif Jamil: Stones and clear waters were the main attractions for tourists. Stones kept the water clean and also prevented erosion. Just as artificial blocks are used to protect riverbanks, natural stones served the same purpose. By looting these, we have invited erosion. One of the major attractions was the ropeway built during British times, stretching from Bholaganj in Sylhet to Chhatak in Sunamganj. Tourists came to see it as Bangladesh’s only ropeway. It ran until 2009 but has since stopped. Sadly, we failed to preserve this heritage or harness tourism opportunities.

Samakal: Why have administration and law enforcement failed to stop stone extraction?

Sharif Jamil: Because many within administration and law enforcement are involved in the syndicate. Though some honest officers exist, I remember an Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Nazrul Islam, who tried to seize machines after a ministry meeting, but he was surrounded and had to be rescued by additional police forces.

Samakal: How can this powerful syndicate be broken?

Sharif Jamil: Not through scattered measures. A well-planned, coordinated approach is needed, backed by strong political will. A full list of extractors must be prepared, alternative employment ensured for workers, and above all, those engaged in illegal activities must face justice.

Samakal: Is Bholaganj overshadowing other stone spots?

Sharif Jamil: The government must look at all spots—Jaflong, Lovachhora, Utmachhara, Bichanakandi—all are suffering long-term plunder. Bholaganj is more in focus because it’s iconic. But our demand is protection for all.

Samakal: Recently, the High Court ordered that looted stones be returned to their original places, and the administration has started working. Will this help?

Sharif Jamil: Stones should indeed be restored, but the criminals must also be punished. Reports say one lakh cubic feet of stones have been recovered, but who is monitoring this? Without ensuring accountability, it won’t work. As I said, all stakeholders—including activists, tourism authorities, and political leaders—must be involved. But first, extraction must stop. Government must realize that this is not only a legal violation, but also a cause of disasters and humanitarian crises.

Samakal: Given our domestic demand for stones, most of which are imported, can this demand be met sustainably from within?

Sharif Jamil: Nearly 94% of our stone demand is met through imports. Scientific surveys can determine feasibility, but I don’t believe we should force local supply. Stones are not naturally abundant here, and we must accept that reality. Instead, we should focus on resources we do have—fish, water, silt, crops, and rice. Proper planning with these can enrich our economy and even support exports. Forcing stone extraction only widens the path for plunder.

Samakal: Many locals now depend on stone extraction for livelihoods. What alternatives exist?

Sharif Jamil: Sylhet is rich in natural resources, as I mentioned. Tourism has huge potential for employment if developed properly. People could live more dignified lives than risking death while digging stones. Once machine-based extraction stops and the environment recovers, traditional barqi boat collection could return as a safer option.

Samakal: What long-term strategy do you suggest for stone protection?

Sharif Jamil: A science-based, integrated approach is essential. First, the syndicate must be dismantled. We saw how powerful they are—even blocking convoys of advisors. Strong political will is crucial. The government must adopt a comprehensive master plan for protecting Sylhet’s natural resources, supported by strict law enforcement. Without this, conservation is impossible. As I said, there are also “ghosts hidden inside the mustard.” Unless those hidden evils are rooted out, environmental protection will not be achieved.

Source: Samakal