Sylhet's Shada Pathor on brink of destruction amid widespread looting

The once-pristine Shada Pathor tourist destination in Bholaganj, Sylhet is now facing devastation due to rampant stone looting, with allegations of political involvement and administrative inaction.

The looting, which reportedly began on August 5 last year, has intensified in recent weeks. Locals claim that leaders of the BNP and its youth wing, Jubo Dal, are actively leading the illegal extraction of stones. Members of other political parties have also been accused of participating. As a result, the ecological balance of the area is under serious threat.

Environmental experts warn that if immediate action is not taken, the site—famous nationwide for its natural beauty—could be lost forever. In addition to the environmental toll, the government risks losing substantial revenue due to illegal stone trade.

Since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government, the looting has reportedly escalated, taking place openly during the day. Stones washed down by hill torrents are being extracted indiscriminately from across the area, including the Bholaganj Ropeway Bunker, with little to no oversight.

Locals allege that over the past two to three months, more than a thousand small cargo boats have been used to transport illegally extracted stones—often under the cover of night. Laborers equipped with shovels, spades, crowbars, and baskets dig up stones from quarries and surrounding areas, which are then sold to local stone mills. These stones are processed and transported by trucks and pickups to various parts of the country.

Despite the scale of the operation, law enforcement agencies have remained largely inactive, locals say. Videos circulating on social media show large-scale digging at Shada Pathor's Zero Point and even violent clashes over shares of the loot.

Shada Pathor first gained prominence as a tourist spot in 2017, after a major mountain flood deposited massive stone beds across five acres at the source of the Dholai River. The site was preserved by the local administration, led by then-DC Rahat Anwar and UNO Abul Lais, who initiated protection efforts. Further preservation was undertaken under subsequent UNOs, including a master plan developed by Sumon Acharya.

However, the failure to implement this master plan has now left the area vulnerable to widespread destruction.

Environmentalists and community leaders are calling for urgent government intervention to save one of Sylhet’s most cherished natural landmarks.