The Human and Environmental Toll of Bangladesh’s Construction Boom
Bangladesh’s construction boom has fueled an insatiable demand for sand and gravel, creating an acute shortage of these crucial building materials. To meet this demand, the Himalayan rivers in the country's north are relentlessly mined for their high-quality stones, particularly during the dry season. The stones are crushed into gravel, a backbone of the construction sector.
Tamabil and Bholaganj, prominent riverine sites, witness an influx of thousands of migrant workers and their families. Men, women, and even children labor under extreme conditions, extracting and carrying stones by hand. Their grueling work forms the unseen foundation of the country’s urban expansion. Yet, their plight extends beyond physical hardship; the work is dangerous, poorly remunerated, and perpetuates cycles of poverty.
During the wet season, stone extraction continues, albeit underwater. Workers dive into rain-swollen rivers, risking their lives to retrieve stones from the depths. This year-round operation magnifies the environmental impact. Constant dredging disrupts river ecosystems, alters water courses, and erodes riverbanks, exacerbating flooding risks and undermining biodiversity.
The human and environmental costs of this frantic exploitation are monumental. While the construction boom symbolizes progress, it also underscores the need for sustainable practices and fair labor conditions. Without intervention, Bangladesh risks sacrificing its rivers and the dignity of its workers for fleeting economic gains.