The Forest Department today (29 September) seized 15 dump trucks that were allegedly transporting sand illegally extracted from a reserved forest in Mirsarai upazila of Chattogram.
The trucks, confiscated during a late-night operation, are currently being held at the Korerhat Range office, SM Kayser, divisional forest officer of the Chattogram North Forest Division, told The Business Standard.
“A team led by Harun Ar Rashid, assistant conservator of Forests for Korerhat Range, and Atiqur Rahman, officer of Korerhat Range, conducted a raid between 12am and 5am today along the Ramgarh-Baroierhat Road, where they detained the dump trucks carrying illegally extracted sand,” he said.
The sand was taken from various locations within the Ramgarh Reserved Forest, an illegal act that not only violates the Forest Act but also causes significant harm to the forest’s environment and biodiversity, Kayser added.
“Separate cases will be filed, and we will ensure that those responsible for the illegal extraction and transportation of sand are brought to justice,” he further added.
