Cry for drinking water in over 100 remote Khagrachhari villages

22 April 2009, 18:00 PM

Jasim Majumder, Khagrachhari

Silted and narrowed Chenghi River in Khagrachhari. People in 100 remote villages suffer for want of drinking water as most water sources in the hill district dry up in the dry season.Photo: STAR

At least two lakh people, most of them indigenous in over 100 remote villages under eight upazilas in the hill district, are suffering for want of drinking water. The crisis becomes acute in dry season as most water sources dry up. According the Khagrachhari Hill District Council (KHDC) and district public health officials, at least 20 villages in Dighinala upazila, 15 in Panchhari upazila, eight in Sadar upazila, 18 in Mohalchhari upazila, 25 in Matiranga upazila, 17 in Laxmichhari upazila and 25 villages in Ramgour upazila are facing the nagging problem. Most indigenous villages are situated in remote areas of the district. This correspondent visited several upazilas to witness water crisis. It was found that the villagers are still totally dependent on natural sources. They collect water form water bodies like river, 'chhara', canal, spring, pond etc. As a result, many of them frequently suffer from water-borne diseases like diarrhoea and jaundice. But no government or non-governmental organisation has extended any water and sanitation facilities yet to the people in remote hills of Khagrachhari. A recent survey made by local organisation Paribesh Andolon Forum said, achieving water and sanitation target for all by 2010 in CHT would remain a far cry as long as all concerned do not come up with strategic actions. The report, published recently, also suggested a new action plan and integrated approach to resolve the problems. Mohammad Abul Bashar, assistant teacher of Matiranga Pilot School told The Daily Star that some 1,000 people in his Muslimpara area have been suffering for lack of drinking water. They collect water from nearby villages. "It's become very difficult to live in the village", he said. Pointing to Tk 50 lakh water development project implemented by Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board, he said it only fattened pockets of some BNP leaders while the problems remained mostly unresolved. He also criticised NGOs as they do not take pain to know the real situation. Milon Tripura, a poor indigenous man from Semana para under Sadar upazila said there is no tubewell in his village. "Neither government nor NGOs come to solve our water crisis," he alleged. Sona Ratan Chakma of Sadona Tilla under Dighinala upazila informed that there are no water sources except for some Zeeree or Chhara (hill springs), which turn dry in winter. "Now the people are suffering extremely for water, he said. Kamal Chakma from Kamalchhari village said they are facing water crisis as the river is drying up for siltation. "But no initiative is taken to excavate or dredge the river," he alleged. Sub Assistant Agriculture Officer of Matiranga Upazila AEO Mohammad Amzad Hossain told the Daily Star that around 1,000 acres of land remain uncultivated while at least 25 villeges of upazila are suffering for scanty drinking water. Executive Engineer of District Public Health, Mohammad Sohrab Hossain admitted the crisis and said remoteness, lack of technology, poor integrated approach have added to the situation. "Besides, there are many areas where the authorities cannot set up tubewell just because of armed criminal groups. They often demand ransoms for development work. That's why sometimes we cannot do anything in spite of all good intention to ensure water facilities in remote areas of Khagrachhari", he said. Deputy Commissioner AKM Khairul Alam said he has sent a proposal to the ministry concerned to resolve water crisis in the remote villages. Khagrachhari Hill District Council (KHDC) Chairman Ruhity Karbari observed that all relevant sectors including government and non-governmental organisations should work in unison. "Then it would be possible to achieve total water and sanitation coverage", he said.