Dust in the Wind

Just west of the Indian border, Jaflong is a township whose natural abundance is under threat. This rural area has the potential to be a dream destination for urban-weary tourists seeking the tranquil surroundings of lush forests and pristine waterfalls. But unfortunately, all is not well here. Over the past two decades, Jaflong's landscape has been systematically destroyed. The vista that could have once come straight off an artist's canvas is changing fast. Perhaps forever. Boulders have become Jaflong's blight. With more than a hundred stone-extracting and crushing companies operating in and around its perimeter, the entire area has turned into a huge stone quarry. The stone traders excavated both sides of the Piyain River but did not fill the holes they dug for stones. The stone crushing units in Jaflong have also been posing a serious threat to the environment and the workers who work at the industry. The stone crushers are being operated in populous areas in violation of the rules, polluting the environment and posing a serious health risk. Locals said a lot of noise created by the stone crushers and the air pollution deter tourists from visiting the area. Respiratory diseases and headache are common among the labourers. “According to the rules, stone crushers must use water in the machine to stop dust from spreading but only a few firms abide by the rules, said Zakir, owner of a crushing unit. Around 500 stone crushing mills have been operating in Jaflong. The mining companies see Jaflong as an exploitable resource, rather than a scenic treasure and tourist’s hotspot. (Photo by Jashim Salam/NurPhoto)

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