Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan spoke to journalists after visiting the Jaflong area today. Photo: PID

SYLHET, June 14, 2025 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser 
Syeda Rizwana Hasan today announced that a comprehensive master plan would be 
developed to promote eco-friendly tourism in Jaflong and other tourist 
destinations in Sylhet.

Talking to journalists after visiting the Jaflong area, she said the master 
plan will prioritise creating alternative livelihood opportunities for 
workers currently involved in stone extraction.

Rizwana further stated that the Ministries of Civil Aviation and Tourism, 
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, and Environment, Forest and Climate 
Change will work in coordination to implement this plan.

"No more leases will be issued for stone extraction in environmentally 
critical areas like Jaflong," she said, adding that the government would 
consult with stakeholders to explore sustainable eco-tourism models for these 
scenic areas.

Responding to a question, the environment adviser also expressed concern that 
excessive sand and stone extraction is disrupting the natural flow of rivers.

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said 
due to the cessation of stone extraction in Jaflong, the existing stone 
crushers in the area will be removed.

Unauthorised extraction activities will remain strictly prohibited, he said. 

Secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division Mohammad Saiful Islam, 
Sylhet Divisional Commissioner Khan Md. Rezaul Nabi, Deputy Commissioner 
Mohammad Sher Mahbub Murad, Superintendent of Police (SP) Mohammad Mahbubur 
Rahman, Divisional Forest Officer Md. Humayun Kabir, and Director of the 
Department of Environment, Sylhet Ferdous Anwar were present, among others. 

Earlier, both advisers visited various sites in Jaflong by boat and discussed 
possible development plans. 

They also planted tree saplings at the Jaflong Stone Museum and Haripur Rest 
House, said a press release of the environment ministry.