Dhaka, April 28 -- Considering environmental factors, the government has decided to suspend the leasing process of 17 stone quarries (out of 51) in the country.

No lease will be granted for the quarries that are under court injunctions or located within the declared Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs), according to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Additionally, to preserve natural beauty, the leasing activities of Bhulagonj, Utmachaora, Ratanpur, Bichhanakandi and Lovachora stone quarries in Sylhet will also remain suspended.

The decisions were taken in a meeting, held at the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources on Sunday. It was chaired by Adviser Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan.

Environment Adviser Syeda ...