Cox's Bazar North Forest Department and Chakaria upazila administration today seized 20 dredgers and 1,000 feet of pipes for illegal sand lifting in the district's Chakaria upazila.

They conducted a drive at Paglir Beel between 11:00am and 3:00pm and seized the dredgers and pipes used to lift sand from the area. The drive was conducted, a week after The Daily Star ran a report on illegal sand lifting in the area.

Sohel Rana, assistant conservator of Cox's Bazar Divisional Forest Office (north), said they seized 20 dredgers and 1,000 feet of pipes from Medakocchopia, Modusia-Khutakhali and Fulchari areas where people working for influential locals were lifting sand.

"We will take steps so that no more encroachment takes place within forest territory," he said.

Tanvir Hossen, assistant commissioner (land), range officer of Cox's Bazar Forest Department was present during the drive, among others.

On October 5, The Daily Star ran a report titled "Encroachers dig a lake out of forest".