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White Clay (Sada Mati) of Vijoypur under Durgapur upazila in Netrakona district has been recognised as a geographical indication (GI) product.
In 2017, the Deputy Commissioner of Netrakona applied to the Department of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks (DPDT) for recognition of Sada Mati in Vijoypur, known as a very valuable and rare mineral resource, as a geographical product. After much scrutiny, the product has been recognised this year.
It is known that the plain of Vijoypur is a very valuable and scarce mineral resource. This clay is commonly used for making ceramic utensils, tiles, sanitary wires, and glass. The biggest feature of this soil of excellent quality is that it is naturally rich in kaolin or aluminum. Many also call it China Mati (China Clay).
Vijoypurunder Kullagarha union in Durgapur of Netrakona District is situated in the northern part of Bangladesh, near the Meghalayan border.
This mineral resource area is basically a hilly area belonging to the Garo Hills. Very close to it is the high Garo Hills on the border of India. The Department of Geological Survey of Bangladesh first found this plain in 1957 at a place called Vedikura in Durgapur. According to a survey conducted in 1957, this mineralrec source area, which is 5 km long and 600m wide, has about 2.47 million (24.70 lakh) tonnes of the plain.
In 1974-75, 13 wells were dug in the Vijoypur area to test the feasibility of excavation. Soil excavation work started in 1968. Since then, 10-12 companies used to take leases from the
Mineral Resources Development Bureau every year till 2016.
Later in 2015, the environmental organisation filed a case in the court alleging eviction oftribals and environmental disaster in the name of sample extraction. In that context, the court ordered to stop the excavation work on March 14, 2016. Due to this, the extraction of plain in the mineral resource area of Vijoypur has been completely stopped since April 2016.
Meanwhile, the plain mineral project area of Vijoypur is also known as a tourist spot. This plainwas cut from a very deep level by cutting the hill. In addition, there are layers of soil in a fewmore colours, including black, brown, purple and blue. Although excavations are currently closed,the previously excavated areas still have clear soil layers of various colours that attract tourists.
The excavated areas have turned into blue water lakes. The lakes are extremely transparent and lovely. Every day countless tourists from far and wide flock to the place. However, due to the Covid situation, the number of tourists has decreased at present.
Netrakona Deputy Commissioner Kazi Md. Abdur Rahman said, "Recognition of Sada Mati in Vijoypur as a GI product is a great achievement for us. This Sada Mati will now be known all over the world as a unique product of Bangladesh. And through this Netrakona will also develop with a different identity."