Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa), an environmental organisation, yesterday urged the caretaker government to take effective measures to protect the natural beauty and the environment of Jafflong, a popular tourist spot in Sylhet. It also called for a halt to unplanned extraction of stone from Dakua river there. At a press conference, Bapa leaders called on the government to form a committee comprising people's representatives to investigate various activities, which are posing threats to the natural beauty of the area. A vested quarter is now using modern technology to extract stone from the Dakua river only for financial gains, resulting in pollution of the environment, Bapa President Prof Muzaffer Ahmad said. He called for formulating a river policy to safeguard the rivers in the country. The government should also take stern action against the persons responsible for destroying hills, felling trees and evicting indigenous people from their lands, he added. Bapa leaders ASM Shahjahan, Dr M Abdul Matin, Sharif Jamil and Mihir Biswas were also present at the press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity auditorium.