Cox’s Bazar Correspondent :
A section of influential people have been lifting sand illegally from different spots of the Matamuhuri River at Shaharbeel union under Chakoria upazila in the district causing risk to the river bank, nearby cultivable lands and establishments.
Moreover, the ongoing work on flood protection embankment being implemented by Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) costing Tk 1.5 crore, is also under threat.
Now, about 200 homesteads along the river bank are facing erosion threat down to the illegal sand lifting at the area by the section of unscrupulous persons, according to sources.
Locals alleged that sand lifting at different river points has become rampant as the authorities concerned have turned blind eye to the illegal act.
The river erosion will take serious turn in the next rainy season, if the sand lifting continues unchecked round the year, said contractors of the flood protection embankment project.
Their works on the river bank protection costing huge amount of money will go in vain, the contractors added.
Despite their attempts to finish the dyke construction on due time in June this year, they failed to do so due to the unbridled sand lifting, they informed.
Locals said they are now apprehending more erosion as the construction of the flood protection dyke will not be possible this year as well, if the sand lifting continues this way.
Some sand lessees in the upazila alleged that they got the lease of the sand mahals (depots) after giving huge amount of money as revenue to the government. But they are now incurring losses due to the illegal sand lifters.
They asked the authorities concerned for taking stern action against the crooked section immediately in order to save their business.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shahidul Islam said that they have already stopped the illegal sand lifting from the river by conducting a drive. “If they start the sand lifting again, we will take lawful action against them without any delay”, the UNO added.
A section of influential people have been lifting sand illegally from different spots of the Matamuhuri River at Shaharbeel union under Chakoria upazila in the district causing risk to the river bank, nearby cultivable lands and establishments.
Moreover, the ongoing work on flood protection embankment being implemented by Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) costing Tk 1.5 crore, is also under threat.
Now, about 200 homesteads along the river bank are facing erosion threat down to the illegal sand lifting at the area by the section of unscrupulous persons, according to sources.
Locals alleged that sand lifting at different river points has become rampant as the authorities concerned have turned blind eye to the illegal act.
The river erosion will take serious turn in the next rainy season, if the sand lifting continues unchecked round the year, said contractors of the flood protection embankment project.
Their works on the river bank protection costing huge amount of money will go in vain, the contractors added.
Despite their attempts to finish the dyke construction on due time in June this year, they failed to do so due to the unbridled sand lifting, they informed.
Locals said they are now apprehending more erosion as the construction of the flood protection dyke will not be possible this year as well, if the sand lifting continues this way.
Some sand lessees in the upazila alleged that they got the lease of the sand mahals (depots) after giving huge amount of money as revenue to the government. But they are now incurring losses due to the illegal sand lifters.
They asked the authorities concerned for taking stern action against the crooked section immediately in order to save their business.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shahidul Islam said that they have already stopped the illegal sand lifting from the river by conducting a drive. “If they start the sand lifting again, we will take lawful action against them without any delay”, the UNO added.
