Staff Correspondent
Sylhet, August 14: The famous Sada Pathor (White Stones) tourist spot in Bholaganj, Sylhet, has turned into a sandy wasteland. Unabated looting of stones for the past four months has stripped away its natural beauty. Large and medium-sized rocks have vanished, leaving behind only pits and stretches of sand. Tourist numbers have also dwindled sharply.
Sources reveal that the plundering occurred brazenly in broad daylight. Around 80% of the stones have disappeared due to the collusion between local influential political leaders and stone traders. Environmental activists and locals blame the administration’s inaction for the unchecked theft.
Leaders from various political parties, including BNP and Jamaat, are allegedly involved in the stone extraction and trade. Abdul Karim Chowdhury, secretary of environmental organization Dhora, said, “The administration failed to stop the looting. Political patrons are equally responsible.”
The Sylhet district administration has now decided to recover the stolen stones and restore the site. However, locals question, “Where was the administration all this time?”
Bottom Line: Environmentalists demand strict action to protect natural resources. Otherwise, landmarks like Sada Pathor will only remain as fading memories for future generations.