At the northeastern edge of Bangladesh, along the border of Sylhet district, lies a spectacular natural wonder Volaganj. Once a paradise for tourists, this land of vast white stone deposits, the crystal-clear flow of the Dawki River, cascading hill streams, and verdant hillocks attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, serving as a lifeline for the local economy. But over time, this natural beauty has been pushed to the brink of destruction. Rampant illegal stone extraction, environmental pollution, and administrative negligence are now leading this tourist hotspot toward a silent death. Volaganj is not merely a geographic location; it is an invaluable chapter of Bangladesh’s natural history. Flowing down from India’s Meghalaya hills, the Dhalai River carries white stones formed over millions of years of geological evolution, depositing them on the riverbed, banks, and surrounding areas, creating a unique landscape. These stones were not only an element of beauty but also a key part of the environmental balance regulating river currents, protecting aquatic habitats, and maintaining the natural flow of underground water. The reflection of stones in the crystal waters, the freshness of hill streams, and the clarity of the river made Volaganj a “natural work of art.” According to the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation, at least 150,000 to 200,000 domestic and foreign tourists visited Volaganj each year. Beyond tourism, it was a vital center for the local economy. Hotels, restaurants, boat rentals, handicrafts together they formed a vibrant marketplace. Importantly, Volaganj’s white stone reserves are among the largest in Asia, meeting 30% of the country’s construction industry demand. Stone extraction began here in the 1950s, and by the 1990s, alongside the rise of tourism, the area evolved into a dual economic hub. Initially, stone collection was limited and manual, but it soon escalated into large-scale commercial exploitation. Heavy machinery excavators, bulldozers, and dredgers were deployed to rip through the river’s heart. Under the protection of local influential figures and political elites, illegal mining has reached such an extreme that Volaganj’s original identity has been transformed. Since the political shift of August 5, 2024, the situation has taken an even more alarming turn. Administrative laxity and the unchecked power of influential groups have increased stone looting several hundredfold. Media reports indicate that in just two weeks, stones worth crores of taka were stolen from the area. The plunder continues in broad daylight at locations like Arefin Tila and Ropeway Bunker in Shah Volaganj, causing irreparable environmental damage. As a result, the Dawki River has turned murky, landslides have increased due to hill run-off, and the white stone beauty is fading into a desert-like wasteland. Tourism revenue has already dropped by 40%, threatening the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers. In this way, not only is a tourist destination vanishing, but Bangladesh’s tourism economy is facing a dangerous collapse. The most frustrating reality is that every time an operation is launched against illegal stone mining in Volaganj, it proves temporary. Limited manpower in local administration, political pressure, and the influence of vested interest groups prevent any lasting solution. An internal source in the Sylhet district administration revealed that information about raids often leaks beforehand, allowing perpetrators to escape in advance. Such weaknesses undermine not only the rule of law but also the state’s commitment to protecting the environment. Stone traders often argue that the industry sustains the livelihoods of thousands of workers. While this may be true in the short term, in the long run, the destruction of natural resources inflicts a cost on the entire nation. A study (University of Dhaka, Department of Environmental Science, 2024) found that while the annual financial value of stone extraction in Volaganj is about Tk 500 crore, the economic cost of environmental damage is at least double that, damage that is nearly impossible to restore. This loss is a threat to our very existence. In many countries, sites of natural beauty are declared “national heritage” and given special legal protection. But in Volaganj, the opposite is true and it has no national-level protected status, leaving it without any effective framework to stop illegal mining and environmental destruction. The crisis of Volaganj is not only a concern for Bangladesh but also of international significance. Therefore, to save this natural paradise, the authorities must act immediately. Not just temporary raids, but a long-term policy must be formulated and implemented. Volaganj should be declared a “National Natural Heritage” site, and tourism development should be brought under a sustainable framework. To stop illegal mining, technology-driven surveillance such as drones, satellite imagery, and GPS tracking must be introduced. Strict punishment for offenders and accountability in local administration must be ensured. At the same time, alternative livelihoods for the local population must be created so they are not dependent on stone extraction. The looting of Volaganj’s white stones, the destruction of its environment, and the silent death of its tourism industry is a national tragedy. Yet, time has not fully run out. If we act collectively now enforcing strict laws without political bias, ensuring the empowerment of local communities Volaganj can regain its lost glory. This will not only be the rebirth of a single location but also a new beginning for Bangladesh’s environment and tourism. It is an urgent duty for the protection of our existence and our future.