<i>Woes created by manmade flood </i>
Over 2000 acres uncultivated since 2001 in Satkhira
Persistent water-logging even in dry season has become a curse for over 3000 people in five villages in Kulia union in Debhata upazila, caused by unplanned shrimp cultivation.
The stagnant water since 2001 is greatly affecting their livelihood as they can not grow any crop, locals told this correspondent during a recent visit.
The affected villages are Gobrakhali, Shyamnagar, Bhennapota, Kashimari and Char Gobindapur.
The villagers alleged that they are virtually marooned as flood water remains stagnant because the outlet to Darar canal is obstructed at several points by unplanned dams for shrimp cultivation.
They said they cannot grow any crop on about 2000 acres of land covering the five villages as those remain under water round the year.
Some influential shrimp cultivators have taken lease of the canal from government at nominal prices and they are cultivating shrimps by constructing dams at several points.
Local people demanded demolition of the dams and re-excavation of the canal to restore normal water flow to solve the problem.
Last week, Kulia Union Parishad (UP) acting chairman Abdul Hannan, local land records official Mokhlesur Rahman and representatives of the local elite faced a demonstration when went to the area on a visit.
They calmed down the demonstrators by assuring them to demolish the dams and take steps to drain out the stagnant water.
On contact, Abdul Hannan said the problem is manmade as the local land office leased the canal to some influential shrimp cultivators who obstructed the normal water flow by building dams. He also urged the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to solve the problem.
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