Lalmonirhat Rover Scouts working to resist Dharla erosion

Members of Lalmonirhat district Rover Scout are working relentlessly to protect Char Falimari village from erosion by the Dharla river.

Local people said the bordering village is now under threat of being washed away due to erosion of the river. The river has devoured about 500 metres at the village in Moghalhat union of Sadar upazila.

The villagers have also joined the work on voluntary basis. They themselves have collected bamboos and wood, which are being used for piling at the erosion points.  

 Arman Rahman, secretary of Lalmonirhat district Rover Scout, said the district Rover Scout members are working hard in the hot sun to check the river erosion. The district administration authorities have also joined hands with them.

He further said Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) in Lalmonirhat Md Rafiqul Islam himself is filling the sack with sand. Later, the sand-filled sacks are being dumped at the eroded points to protect the village from the river erosion. 

 Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) (General) in Lalmonirhat Md Rafiqul Islam told The Daily Star that the Rover Scouts of the district have given 5,000 plastic bags. The bags are being filled with sand and later, the sand bags are being dumped at the erosion points.

The ADC further added that Lalmonirhat Water Development Board (WDB) authority has also given 1000 geo-bags. The villagers themselves have given 650 bamboos. The bamboos are being used for piling.

"We all are working together to check the erosion and save Char Falimari village from the clutch of Dharla," he added.

 Erosion-hit victim Sekendar Ali of the village said despite repeated pleas, the authorities concerned are yet to take any steps to protect the village from erosion.

Finding no other alternative, they have joined hands with the Rover Scouts to resist the river erosion, he said, adding that both the Rover Scout members and villagers have been working relentlessly for the last several days.

The work of dumping sand bags at erosion-prone points in the village will continue for a few more days, said Sekendar.

Erosion at some points at the village has already been stopped following dumping of sandbags, he said.

The erosion-hit villagers have also urged the government to take immediate steps to stop the river erosion permanently.