Tourism industry on one side and livelihood on the other: Plans to excavate dams and loot stones at Jaflong

The Dhaka Times Desk Some gang is planning to loot stones by digging a dam in Sylhet's Jaflong. Due to which Jaflong has lost its heritage as an important tourist destination.

Sources in the media said that a flood control dam was constructed on the banks of Payain River to protect tribal villages at Jaflong in Sylhet about two centuries ago. In 2012, the tribals voluntarily rebuilt the dam on their own initiative as it had not been renovated since its construction. However, there have been reports that preparations are being made to dig large holes in the dam area for a week.

It is known that Khasi tribals and Bengali families live in Sangrampunji of East Jaflong Union of Goainghat. In the 1988 floods, one-third of Sangrampunji, inhabited by the indigenous Khasi community, was washed away by the Payain River. A one kilometer long flood control dam was then constructed under the supervision of the Water Development Board (PUBO). However, after the construction, the residents are in a state of uncertainty due to the lack of renovation. In such a situation, before the monsoon of 2012, the tribals rebuilt the dam on the basis of voluntary work.

According to Sylhet Water Development Board sources, Paubo constructed the dam with foreign funding as a part-time protective measure after the floods. Being part-time, it was not possible to renovate this dam later.

The residents of that Sangrampunji complained that the condition of the flood control dam is shaking every year due to the use of machinery to lift stones from the river Pian in Jaflong. This time, at the beginning of the dry season, large pits have also been made for quarrying stones in about one kilometer of the riverbank of Piane, including that part of the dam. In such a situation, they themselves rebuilt the dam last year on a voluntary basis. But now the dam is under threat again due to digging big holes for stone extraction. Locals feel that not only is the area unsustainable, but it is also a blow to the tourism industry in the area. The local residents have sought immediate intervention from the concerned authorities.