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Illegal sand extraction using dredgers persists along the Teesta river in Lalmonirhat, Bangladesh, posing a significant threat to the local environment and communities. Despite repeated enforcement drives, the illicit activity continues, leading to accelerated riverbank erosion and endangering croplands, homesteads, and infrastructure.

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The illegal sand extraction has already caused erosion along the riverbank, washing away cropland and putting many homesteads at risk.

Recently, the Lalmonirhat district administration conducted a drive in the Votmari area of Kaliganj upazila. Led by executive magistrates Parvez Khan and Mamunur Rashid, the operation resulted in the seizure of a dredger and several pipelines used for illegal sand extraction. The seized pipelines were destroyed on-site, and the dredger was taken to the local police station.

Residents have voiced strong concerns about the impact of these operations. Nazrul Ali, a farmer from Votmari village, alleged that a syndicate has been extracting sand day and night for the past two months. He stated that the illegal extraction has already caused significant erosion, washing away cropland and putting many homes at risk. While the mobile court's action has temporarily halted operations, Ali expressed skepticism, believing the syndicate might resume within days.

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The mobile court has seized the dredger, so sand extraction has stopped for now. But they may resume the operation within a few days.

Farmers from other villages echo these concerns. Zahir Ali from Rajpur village noted that operators often remove dredgers during the day but continue extraction at night, creating large pits in the riverbed that exacerbate erosion. Moksed Ali from Sindurna village alleged that the culprits are politically influential and intimidating, preventing locals from speaking out. Shunil Kumar, an executive engineer with the Bangladesh Water Development Board, explained that sand extraction close to the riverbank (20-30 meters) creates whirlpool-like currents that directly strike the bank, accelerating erosion, unlike extraction further away (400-500 meters).

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Large pits have been formed in the riverbed, accelerating riverbank erosion.

Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner Md Rashedul Hoque Prodhan affirmed a zero-tolerance policy against illegal sand extraction. He stated that mobile court drives are conducted immediately upon receiving information. However, he acknowledged the difficulty in filing cases when no one is present at the site during raids, leading to the seizure and destruction of equipment. Public awareness campaigns are also being conducted.

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The culprits are politically influential and have a reputation for intimidation, so no one dares to speak out against them openly.