Kaium Ahmed Jewel, Patuakhali :
Influential people have occupied at least 80 khas ponds in Kalapara upazila under the district, making the sweet water sources virtually unusable for locals, especially the Rakhines.
The Khas pond at Kalachnadpara in Kuakata area served as the only source of sweet water there for long
But some influential men have already built several establishment including concrete structures, occupying a portion of the pond belonging to Patuakhali Zila Parishad (district council).
Some People are cultivating fish occupying Char Dhulashar Khas pond while several business establishments have been built occupying Mohipur Bazar Khas pond and Haripara Khas pond.
A market is being built, filling up a khas pond near Nacnhnapara under Kalapara municipality, locals said.
Around 80 khas ponds grabbed by local influential people are facing similar conditions, said leaders of Rakhine community.
According to the district administration, there were 108 khas ponds in Kalapara upazila but most of these ponds are now under teh occupation of local influential people who have already filled up some of the water bodies and built structures there.
SM Rakibul Ahsan, mayor of Kalapara municipality said, “We have renovated eight of the 28 khas ponds in the municipality area and set new bathing ghats (spot with stairs) to facilitate locals to use the water”.
Contracted, Khan Mosaref Hossain, Administrator of Patuakhali Zila Parishad, said steps will be taken to free Kalachandpara khas pond as well as other ponds from occupiers as soon as possible.
Around 200 years ago, many Rakhines from Arakan in Myanmar came to Kalapara area and settled there. They dug a number of ponds to meet the need of drinking water.
Influential people have occupied at least 80 khas ponds in Kalapara upazila under the district, making the sweet water sources virtually unusable for locals, especially the Rakhines.
The Khas pond at Kalachnadpara in Kuakata area served as the only source of sweet water there for long
But some influential men have already built several establishment including concrete structures, occupying a portion of the pond belonging to Patuakhali Zila Parishad (district council).
Some People are cultivating fish occupying Char Dhulashar Khas pond while several business establishments have been built occupying Mohipur Bazar Khas pond and Haripara Khas pond.
A market is being built, filling up a khas pond near Nacnhnapara under Kalapara municipality, locals said.
Around 80 khas ponds grabbed by local influential people are facing similar conditions, said leaders of Rakhine community.
According to the district administration, there were 108 khas ponds in Kalapara upazila but most of these ponds are now under teh occupation of local influential people who have already filled up some of the water bodies and built structures there.
SM Rakibul Ahsan, mayor of Kalapara municipality said, “We have renovated eight of the 28 khas ponds in the municipality area and set new bathing ghats (spot with stairs) to facilitate locals to use the water”.
Contracted, Khan Mosaref Hossain, Administrator of Patuakhali Zila Parishad, said steps will be taken to free Kalachandpara khas pond as well as other ponds from occupiers as soon as possible.
Around 200 years ago, many Rakhines from Arakan in Myanmar came to Kalapara area and settled there. They dug a number of ponds to meet the need of drinking water.
