Export of sand

IT is reported that the sand from Brahmaputra and Jamuna rivers is going to be exported to the Maldives and Singapore. A dredging company has already applied to the ministry concerned to sell overseas the sand to be lifted through dredging from the river bed of Jamuna. City state Singapore has extended its area by importing sand from abroad. The Maldives also intends to do the same as it is under the threat of going down in the Indian Ocean due to climate change. 
Sand will be exported at one taka per cubic feet whereas the current market price per ton of sand is Tk 1,000. When export actually takes off, the price will go up in local market by several times and then the dredging company will be the sole owner of the sand lifted. According to the Directorate of Geological Survey, 54 kg of different mineral elements are available in one ton of sand at the Gaibandha portion of river Brahmaputra which can be sold for Tk 325 thousand (approx) and the remaining sand can be used for construction of building. Reasons behind Singapore and the Maldives importing sand are to extend and consolidate their land area. If we export sand by dredging our rivers the chars of these rivers will gradually disappear and people of the char area will lose their homesteads. What will happen to them? The only solution could be to establish laboratories for separation of the minerals and setting up related industries on both banks of the rivers.
Md. Ruhul Amin
Asstt.Vice President
Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd.
Beanibazar Branch, Sylhet.
[email protected]