Mindless extraction of earth from river worries villagers

3 December 2009, 17:00 PM

Rafiqul Islam, from Dumki, Patuakhali

Men employed by brick kiln owners lift onto engine boats earth from the char (newly emerged land) of Paira River where landless lessees had planted paddy. The photo was taken from near Lebukhali ferry terminal on the border of Barisal and Patuakhali districts recently. Photo: STAR

Indiscriminate extraction of earth from river Paira at Angaria point of Patuakhali and Dudhalmau point of Bakerganj upazila in Barisal by influential quarters has put Lebukhali ferry terminal and many nearby villages under the threat of erosion. Random removal of earth from riverbanks and shoals has changed the course of the river at Dudhalmau and Lebukhali points, sources said. People of the localities are now passing days in great anxiety as their homesteads and cropland might disappear during next monsoon. Locals said a section of ruling party men, particularly including 10 Jatiya Party (JP) and one Awami League leaders, has been extracting soil from the riverbanks in broad daylight during low tide and sending it to different brickfields of Kalos Kati by trawlers. These men are also the owners of brickfields. A worker seeking anonymity said they work on daily basis for extracting soil from char land located on the west bank of the river Paira. "The soil extractors are so influential that no one dares to protest against their work," said Altaf Sarder, a member of Bharpasha Union Parishad under Bakerganj upazila, adding that the river will not last long if such extraction continues. Locals said some hired men of soil collectors assaulted Jamal Hossain, a landless farmer, when he tried to resist soil extraction from the char land. The farmer recently got allocation of the piece of char land. Jamal alleged that Reza Hawlader, an Awami League activist, threatened him with dire consequences if he creates any obstacle to their work. Villagers alleged that a land grabber is selling earth by cutting the bank of the river at Lebukhali ferry terminal point. The grabber is doing a brisk business allegedly by selling earth at Tk 500 to 1,200 per trawler. If it continues, the nearby areas will be in a great danger, villagers said expressing fear. Acting Chairman of Bharpasha UP Md Masud Khan told this correspondent that during the tenure of last caretaker government sand extraction occurred only at night. But it now takes place in broad daylight also. He said they lodged a complaint with the UNO in this regard. "We will submit a memorandum to the divisional commissioner, urging him to take prompt action in this regard," said Akhter Hossain, a resident of Angaria in Patuakhali, adding that they will also raise their voice by involving mass people of Barisal and Patuakhali to stop looting of soil. Subhash Chandra Biprabedanti, divisional office coordinator of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela), said extraction of soil from agricultural land, shoal or riverbank affecting the normal water flow is illegal. The officer-in-charge (OC) of Bakerganj police station said they are aware of the matter but they cannot do anything until the AC land directs them to take action. Contacted, Mehdi Masuduzzaman, UNO and acting AC land of Bakerganj, said he would look into the matter after visiting spots. Deputy Director of Environment Directorate of Barisal Kaisar Ahmed said he was not aware of the problem and would investigate the matter. Mashiur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner of Barisal, told The Daily Star that he will take stern action against the persons involved in such illegal activities.