White clay extraction continues defying law

Disregarding a ban implemented by the Department of Environment (DoE) some local influential people are extracting white clay (kaolin) from hills in Dhobaura upazila of Mymensingh.

Kaolin, more commonly known as white clay or china clay is a mineral used in manufacturing ceramic products. It is illegal to mine kaolin in the country as per a ban implemented by the DoE.

White clay mining has destroyed hills, forested areas, agricultural lands and wetlands and disrupted wildlife in many areas.

However, locals allege that a group of politically influential people has been mining kaolin ignoring the ban in Bhedukura Mouza of the upazila.

A signboard has been hung in the area that reads, “according to the writ petition order in the High Court in 2010, Bangladesh Agro Ceramic Company is carrying out quarry operations and mining white clay.”

On the bottom of the board it reads, “‘M/s Agro Ceramic Company, Quarry Lease Granted by Bureau of Mineral Resources Development.” The owner of the company is Gazi Md Golam Kibria (Tapan).

The quarry is about 3.17 acres of land in the Dakshinmaijpara union of the upazila.

Kaolin is known as white gold by the people of Mymensingh’s Dhobaura and Netrakona’s Durgapur upazila by the foot of Garo Hills. After the implementation of the ban kaolin mining stopped in Durgapur but not in Dhobaura.

Kaolin can be found in some of the northern districts of the country including Rajshahi, Naogaon, Dinajpur, Mymensingh and Netrakone. Mining officially started in the country in 1969.

This mineral is used in products, including tableware, electrical insulators, sanitary ware, paper, synthetic textiles, construction tiles and various chemical industries.

In 2017, the DoE implemented a ban on kaolin extraction in the country to protect nature and wildlife in the areas. On March 29 last year, the DoE reported that Agro Ceramic Company did not have permission to continue mining in the quarry.

However, the Bureau of Mineral Development (BMD) claims that extraction at the quarry in Dakshinmaijpara union is ongoing as per the regulations.

The accumulated kaolin in the quarry area is being transported with the help of the District Monitoring Committee on Extraction and Marketing of White Clay constituted under the leadership of Additional District Commissioner (Revenue), Mymensingh.

According to the Mymensingh DoE office, the Deputy Director Mihir Lal Sardar wrote a letter to the Director (Law) of the DoE seeking the latest status of the 2010 writ petition of Bangladesh Agro Ceramics Company and what to do in this regard.

“As per my knowledge, the ongoing mining is being carried out illegally. As it is not licensed by the DoE, it is not a legitimate institution,” he said.

The deputy director further said, “I am awaiting the decision given by the higher authorities. We will take necessary action afterwards.” He added that the company may have permission from the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.

The soil is being mined from the top of the hill to the deep bottom. Workers are cutting the soil with native tools, leaving large craters in various places.

According to Saidul Islam, a labourer at the quarry, the owner of the company hardly ever visits the site. No higher authority or anyone in charge was found at the quarry site.

When contacted over the phone, the owner Md Golam Kibria told The Business Post that they have approval of extraction from the high court.

“The Ministry of Water Resources approved the quarry in 2010 and they regularly monitor the extraction process. Taxes are also paid duly regarding the quarry,” he said.

ADC Parvezur Rahman said the court has a writ regarding kaolin extraction. “They (Agro Ceramic Company) do not have permission to mine kaolin in that area. I have directed the local UNO to take action in this regard.”

Fauzia Nazneen, UNO of Dhobaura, said the UP chairman and the police have been ordered to put a stop to white soil extraction.

Mymensingh Divisional Director of DoE Dilruba Ahmed said that according to the High Court’s verdict, soil can be extracted from plain land in accordance with the law.

“Previously a firm called Haque Brothers applied to extract soil but was denied permission. The DoE main office has a ban on kaolin mining. I am not aware of who is cutting soil in that area now,” she said.

According to the Deputy Director BMD Md Mamunur Rashid, kaolin mining is going on according to the order of the high court. “A lawsuit was filed for non-grant of environmental clearance. However, permission was granted afterwards.”

Paribesh Rakkha and Unnayan Andolan General Secretary Shibbir Ahmed Liton told The Business Post that white clay mining is prohibited by the government.

“Mining white clay hills with a High Court writ is illegal without the approval of the DoE. This should be put a stop to immediately.”