Sylhet’s border areas are home to 1,500 illegal stone crushing mills, operating without regard for laws, public health, or environmental risks.
Despite warnings from experts about the detrimental effects these mills are having on the local environment and people’s health, no action has been taken to resolve the issue.
An environmental organisation filed a writ petition in 2015, leading the court to impose a ban on the random establishment of these mills.
The court had instructed the creation of a designated zone in a comparatively safer area for the mills.
However, no steps have been taken to implement this directive to date.
There are specific restrictions on setting up these mills near riverbanks, tea gardens, foothills, areas adjacent to highways, residential areas, and educational zones.
Despite these bans, mills have been freely operating in these locations.
The Department of Environmental and local authorities occasionally conduct raids to shut down these illegal mills. While some mills are temporarily shut down, they reopen once the situation normalises.
According to the law, electricity connections to these mills are prohibited without clearance from the Department of Environment, but this regulation is being ignored.
Md Bodrul Huda, assistant director at the Department of Environment in Sylhet, said: “The High Court ruled that no stone crushing mills should be established in Sylhet without a designated zone. No such zone has been created, yet these mills continue to operate without any clearance.”
On Nov 17, an operation was carried out to disconnect the electricity of 52 crusher mills located in Ecologically Critical Areas, or ECA, in Jaflong.
Bodrul shared his experience, saying that after disconnecting the power to one mill, hundreds of workers cordoned them off.
“We were forced to restore power after a strong opposition from the workers. The Power Division is supplying electricity to these mills without permits,” he said.
More than 50,000 people work in these mills, where both imported and locally sourced stones are crushed.
The business is massive, dealing with different sizes of stones and stone powder, with many workers from both local areas and outside the region.
The lack of genuine effort from the authorities in shutting down these illegal operations has been questioned by Shah Shahida Akhter, Sylhet coordinator of the Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association, or BELA, the organisation that filed the petition.
She said, “The official count from 2024 claims only 300 mills are operational, but we continue to see more machines running on the ground. Just recently, after the removal of machinery from the Dhola riverbank, the mills are back up and running.”
“Recently, especially after Aug 5, machines were removed from the banks of the Dholai River in Companiganj. However, now rows of crusher machines are operating there again,” Shahida added.
She also expressed frustration over the ongoing illegal activities, asking: “Why has this been allowed to continue for so long? Has the administration become so weak that it cannot enforce the law?”
WRIT PETITION
In 2015, BELA filed a writ petition to stop the illegal and unregulated installation and operation of stone crushing machines in Sylhet Sadar, Companiganj, Gowainghat, Jaintiapur, and Kanaighat Upazilas.
The High Court ordered the removal of illegal crushers, relocation of authorised ones to a designated zone, and enforcement of the Stone Crushing Machine Setup Policy, 2006.
Acting on the court’s directive, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change declared 14.93 square kilometres, including the Khasia Punji area between Jaflong-Dauki and Piyain rivers in Gowainghat Upazila, as an Ecologically Critical Area on Feb 18, 2015.
The district administration also recommended to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources to exclude the tourist destination Jaflong from the list of stone quarries, but stone extraction and crusher mills have yet to be shut down.
A BELA official said stone extraction is still rampant along the riverbanks, agricultural land, hillocks, and forests in areas like Jaflong, Bichnakandi, Bholaganj, and Lawachara.
The long-standing public demand for halting illegal and unregulated stone extraction in Sylhet continues.
Although a government order in 2020 temporarily halted stone extraction, it has recently resumed.
The official stressed the need for a short-term action plan, involving like-minded organisations and experts, to halt stone extraction across all Upazilas in Sylhet, implement the ESA in Jaflong, and regulate stone crushing factories.
NO ONE KNOWS HOW MANY MACHINES EXIST
No one knows exactly how many stone crushing machines exist in Sylhet.
While the environment department does not have a comprehensive list, the local administration has one, but environmentalists have raised concerns about its accuracy.
According to local stone traders, workers, and residents, at least 1,500 stone crushing machines of varying sizes are spread across the region.
These mills break large stones into smaller sizes, which are then transported by truck to different parts of the country for use in construction projects.
The smallest stones are crushed into dust, which is then sent to cement and tile factories.
Traders say white stone dust sells for Tk 12 to Tk 20 per cubic foot, while black stone dust goes for Tk 25 to Tk 30 per cubic foot. Sales are sometimes calculated based on truckload rather than cubic feet.
According to the environment department, 52 crushing mills are in the ECA of Jaflong, a popular tourist spot in Sylhet.
Outside the ECA, there are 55 mills in Jaflong, 60 in Companiganj’s Bholaganj, 30 in Dhopagul, 40 in Bianibazar, and 65 in Jaintiapur.
However, local trader Ahmed Hossain claims there are 500 mills in Jaintiapur and Gowainghat alone, adding that these mills now mostly rely on imported stones, although local stones are still being crushed.
In total, he estimates there are about 1,500 stone crushers across Sylhet.
Md Fakhruddin, a stone trader from Companiganj, said there are around 300 to 350 mills in the area, with nearly 10,000 people involved in the industry.
Large mills in the area use water for crushing, while the smaller mini-crushers and tom-tom mills do not, he added.
MACHINE EVERYWHERE
On Saturday, a visit to the Banglabazar area from Jaintapur Upazila Sadar, located at the foot of the Khasi Hills in Meghalaya, revealed that stone crushing mills have been set up over a seven-kilometre stretch along both sides of the Sylhet-Tamabil road.
The mills occupy vacant land, hills, riverbanks, and wetlands, and extend all the way to Jaflong.
The air is filled with the deafening noise of crushers, and dust from broken stones is everywhere. Nearby shops, roads, rice fields, grass in the fields, and even house roofs are covered in stone dust.
Trees, ripened paddy, and grass now appear discoloured, their natural hues lost under the powdery residue.
Wherever you touch, there’s stone powder.
Residents and tourists navigating these areas, particularly Banglabazar and its surroundings, are forced to endure this suffocating atmosphere.
In the Banglabazar area, illegal sand and stone extraction from the Rangpani River was taking place. Beyond Bangla Bazar, in areas like Asampara, Mokambari, and Alubagan, the situation is just as bad, with large crushing mills set up right next to people’s homes.
Locals complain that these factories, established haphazardly in residential areas, are wreaking havoc on the environment and their lives.
Despite the chaos, no authority seems to intervene, leaving residents struggling to survive amidst the unrelenting pollution.
STONE CRUSHING WITHOUT WATER
Locals argue that using water during stone crushing prevents the dust from spreading, but mill owners rarely opt for it.
The thing is, even when water is used, most of it ends up in the nearby rivers and streams, leaving behind hardly any dust.
So, to keep the dust for sale, mill owners avoid using water at all.
The decision prioritises profit over health and the environment, leaving nearby residents to endure the consequences.
Occasionally, a few mills might use water, but it is rare. Apart from imported stones, they are also crushing local red stones from the hills.
Afzal Haque, a Sylhet-based stone trader, said: “Mill owners avoid water because it lowers dust production. The demand for dust in cement and tile factories is huge. That’s why they skip the water. Plus, using water drives up electricity costs. Dust is sold by foot or by truckload.”
At Rafi Stone Crusher in Alubagan, operations were seen running without water.
When asked, mill operator Akhtar Hossain said: “We do use water, but there is a shortage. All the mills in this area are facing the same issue.”
Jaintiapur Alubagan Crusher Association’s General Secretary Sarwar Hossain Chedu said the association oversees 18 mills, and they have made it clear that none of the mills should operate without water.
He added, “We even monitor compliance, and discussions were held with the UNO [Upazila executive officer] recently.”
However, when asked about the mills he oversees being seen running without water on Saturday, Sarwar said: “That is not supposed to happen. I was not around that day, but our mills follow the rules. Come visit anytime.”
A visit to the stone crushing mills of Ballaghat-Mamarbazar and Jaflong Bazar area revealed the same story—factories running without water, ignoring environmental and health regulations.
‘CAN’T STUDY, CAN’T SLEEP’
On Saturday afternoon, locals of Alubagan-Mokambari in Jaintiapur gathered near Matin Construction Crusher Mill upon learning that journalists were in the area.
Among them were young students, middle-aged men, and even schoolchildren, all eager to share their struggles.
The students complained that the crushers run from dawn till late at night, making so much noise that they cannot study or even sleep.
Ninth-grader Rupon Dey from Jaintaipur Government School said, “The dust is causing problems. We can’t focus on our studies. Our exams are around the corner, but how can we prepare with this noise?”
He added, “The dust makes me shower two or three times a day. Our clothes, food, everything gets ruined by it. People with breathing problems or cold could get hurt by this.”
Ritu Rani Pal, a higher secondary graduate who is preparing for university entrance exams, has a similar problem.
She lives next to a crusher mill and suffers from migraines.
Ritu said, “The mill is so close to my house that I’ve developed migraines, breathing problems, and eye issues. The noise makes it impossible to study or sleep properly. How am I supposed to take my exam under these conditions? Who’s going to take responsibility for my physical and mental health?”
She also raised concerns about the legality of having mills in residential areas. “There are laws in this country, but why does no one enforce them? My father has a limited income—should he spend on my education or my treatment?”
Ritu continued, “My uncle, whose house is behind the mill, died of three strokes caused by the constant noise. These mills are destroying lives and futures. Who will take responsibility for these lives? Legal action is urgently needed.”
Miladur Rahman, the residential medical officer at Jaintapur Upazila Health Complex, also highlighted the health risks.
“We’ve seen an increase in patients with breathing difficulties and skin diseases in the emergency department, though the number of hospital admissions hasn’t gone up,” he told bdnews24.com
When asked about the health risks from the dust, Miladur said: “People in this area are at risk of pneumonia, breathing problems, and skin diseases. Long-term exposure could also lead to lung cancer.”
DEMAND FOR RELOCATION
Locals are demanding that the stone-crushing factories be moved to designated industrial zones set up by the government.
Their biggest gripe is not just the noise pollution, but the fact that the mills do not use water when crushing stones, which is making the situation even worse for them.
Md Addur Shukur, a resident of Alubagan, said: “The stone dust has ruined all the betel leaf gardens around here. There shouldn’t even be factories in tea garden areas, yet they’re here. No one’s bothering to fix this. We’re demanding that the mill be removed.”
Pointing at Matin Construction Crusher Mill, local youth Md Hannan Miah said: “This has been going on for two years. They don’t use water. Whenever we demand it, they pretend to comply but stop as soon as we leave. The mill is barely 10 steps from a temple that serves seven villages. It’s surrounded by betel gardens, a resort, and about 300 families. But the owners act like they don’t care.”
He continued, “We want the mill moved. This land was leased for tea gardens, not for a crusher mill. How did a crusher mill end up here?”
The entrance to Mokambari-Alubagan has a double-plant crusher machine set up right where multiple neighbourhoods, including Hindus and Muslims, live.
Within 200 metres of the mill is a Hindu temple where children receive religious education every morning.
The mill uses large machinery, which creates deafening noise at night, disturbing everyone in the surrounding area.
Syed Shamim Ahmed, an Indian limestone importer-exporter from the Mokambari’s Alubagan, said: “They use massive machines to load and unload, causing unbearable noise. The mill runs from 5am to 10pm, even though crusher zones are supposed to follow a schedule of 8am to 5pm. Despite multiple complaints to the manager, nothing changes.”
Rinku Rani Pal, a teacher at the local pre-primary school, said: “Since the temple is located a bit lower, dust enters the temple like rain every day. The children who come for lessons complain of headaches, and they’re constantly coughing or sneezing.”
WHAT MILL OWNERS ARE SAYING
Bablu Bakht, president of the Jaflong Stone Crusher Mill Owners Association in Gowainghat, said there are around 400-450 mills in Jaflong, with 220 members in their organisation.
He said, “We’ve told the DC [deputy commissioner] that we’ll move out of the ECA as soon as a designated crusher zone is set up. The administration has asked us for data, which we’re providing. Many mill owners can’t use water properly during the dry season because of low availability, though some have installed deep tube wells to address this.”
Bablur, who is also involved in tourism, said: “Since 2018, the Department of Environment has stopped giving clearances. We used to have them before. What we want is for Jaflong to be completely clean, and that can only happen if there’s a designated crusher zone. That way, tourism will grow even more.”
Abu Sufian Belal, president of the Jaintiapur Mini Stone Crusher Mill Owners’ Association, claimed that all 122 members of his association use water in their mills.
“Until we get a crusher zone, we’ll have to continue like this. We’re doing everything we can to run the mills in an environmentally-friendly way. This industry is the only source of livelihood for the people here,” he said.
When asked about mills operating without water, he denied it, saying: “That’s not true. No mill operates without water.”
Sanur Ahmed, general secretary of the Companiganj Mini Crusher (TomTom) Mill Owners’ Association, said their membership has halved from 200 to 100.
“Water usage has decreased in the dry season due to falling groundwater levels. But during the rainy season, all mills use water,” he added.
WHAT ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARE SAYING
Prof Romel Ahmed, from the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science at the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, explained that when stone dust settles on the leaves of nearby plants, it blocks sunlight absorption and disrupts the photosynthesis process. As a result, plants struggle to produce food, which can eventually lead to their death.
He added, “The dust also accumulates on the soil, hindering air circulation within it. This reduces the fertility of the soil and creates issues for plant roots to grow properly and absorb nutrients. When it rains, the stone dust mixes with water, disturbing the balance of minerals and decreasing the quality of water for plants.”
Md Jahirul Hoque, the vice-chancellor of Sylhet Metropolitan University and an organiser of Dhoritri Rokkhay Amra, or DHORA, voiced concern over the noise pollution from these machines.
He said, “These machines are producing noise several times higher than the prescribed decibel limit, which poses a serious risk of hearing loss. This is a clear violation of environmental laws. Without strict action from the authorities, this problem won’t be resolved.”
WHAT AUTHORITIES ARE SAYING
Jaintapur Upazila Executive Officer Umme Salik Rumya said, “We have asked the crusher mill owners to show their documents, but none of them could provide valid paperwork. There are over 120 crusher mills in Jaintiapur, so we have been carrying out raids,”
She added, “We are also working to stop illegal electricity connections, and we have been inspecting water usage at these mills. Even after our raids, the mill owners are not using water regularly.”
Sanjib Kumar Roy, the general manager of Sylhet’s Rural Electrification Board, emphasised that no new connections are being granted without the approval of the environment department.
“For the previous connections, we’ll have to check the files to confirm whether the necessary permits were obtained,” he said.
Sylhet’s District Commissioner, Mohammad Sher Mahbub Murad, said: “If any crusher mills are operating without water, we will shut them down. The administration has conducted raids before, and we will continue to do so.”
Regarding the creation of a ‘crusher zone,’ he said: “During a meeting, mill owners requested a designated crusher zone. However, they lack any legal documentation. If they come through the legal process, we will consider it, but we cannot support anything illegal.”
[Writing in English by Sheikh Fariha Bristy]