<i>Stop Teesta erosion</i>
Hundreds demand on the riverbank
As erosion by Teesta took a serious turn in Ujan Bochagari in Sunderganj upazila in Gaibandha, the affected people gather on its bank demanding government steps for protection.Photo: STAR
'We do not want relief, we want steps to control river erosion' was the cry of people on the bank of Teesta in Ujan Bochagari in Sunderganj upazila. Several hundred affected villagers including women and children gathered on the riverbank on Friday demanding immediate steps to control the devastating erosion that engulfed their homesteads and croplands. Once a village of 7,000 people, Ujan Bochagari now has only 200 people. The rest either shifted homesteads elsewhere or have become homeless due to river erosion in last two decades. Five square kilometer areas have already been devoured by the river. Just after recession of the last flood this year, at least 300 families lost their homes and croplands. Over 1000 families were displaced in last two weeks. Many more are waiting to shifting houses to safer places as the river is knocking at the door. “I shifted my hut seven times in last 10 years but this time I have no space for shelter other than the embankment”, said once farmer Manjur Hossain. “After the flood, I shifted my house twice and may have to shift it again soon”, said Barkat Buiyan, a landowner. The erosion has meantime spread along two kilometre area along the western bank of Teesta. Ujan Burail, Porarchar, Uttar and Dakhin Sreepur villages are threatened, they said. Over 200 houses have gone into the river, they said. Many of the erosion victims were seen shifting huts and household articles to safe places on Friday when some journalists visited areas to see the nature's fury. The Teesta embankment will be affected by erosion within days, said Chandipur Union Parishad chairman Khorshed Alam. Sunderganj UNO Muhammed Barad Hossain said he would write to the ministry for immediate steps to stop the erosion and to rehabilitate the victims.
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