Home ›› 04 Aug 2021 ›› Nation
Unabated illegal dredging and sand extraction from the Arial Khan River in Madaripur now poses a severe threat of erosion to vast tracts of cropland in the beginning of rainy season.
While the administration is busy dealing with the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, some unscrupulous people under the shelter of local influential are utilizing the opportunity and lofting sand from several areas at different places in Shibchar, Kalkini and Sadar upazila.
Hundreds of homesteads, cropland and a mosque in Kalkini were devoured by the river recently leaving several hundreds of people in great distress.
People in the area are passing sleepless night as the water level of the river has been increasing alarmingly.
Locals urged the government to take urgent steps in this regard.
Meanwhile one third-portion of Char Hagolpatia Government Primary School No 151 cum cyclone centre, a mosque and several houses in Alinagar of Kalkini were destroyed by erosion on the banks of the river. In last 20 years, two school buildings were devoured by the river.
Monwara Begum, head teacher of the school, said: “It would be better if the school was rebuilt elsewhere. During every rainy season, everyone is afraid that the school may collapse due to river erosion.”
“Education of students from poor families now face uncertainty due to river erosion, she added.
When contacted, Partha Parthim Saha, executive engineer of Water Board Development, said: “As the school has been found risky , we have decided to put it on auction.”
“We have already taken steps to stop illegal sand lifting. Mobile courts conducted drives in several areas and destroyed dredger machines, “he added.
Locals said a section of local influential have been involved with illegal sand lifting.
According to media reports, river erosion caused by sand lifting in Arial Kha, crop lands, embankments and many establishments went to the riverbed in last several years.
