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Kaptai Lake being filled with soil of Maini River

Published : Saturday, 25 May, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 175
Saikh Imtiaj Kamal Imon
RANGAMATI, May 24: Kaptai Lake is being filled with dredged soil of the Maini River.
 
The local administration is playing silent role in this regard.

The Maini River flowing from Dighinala Upazila has met with the Kachalang River in Longdu Upazila in Rangamati District.
 
To re-navigate the almost dead Maini River, the Water Development Board (WDB) took an initiative to dredge it.

At present, dredging is going on in the mouth of the Maini River in the rest house area of the Department of Environment (DoE).

The lake filling is taking place involving a section of Mainmukhi Union including chairman.

A recent visit found river dredging in the rest house area with modern machinery. Iron pipes are being used for passing dredged soil to Mainimukh Bazar area.

There is an allegation that Mainimukh Union Chairman Kamal Hossain Kamol and Longdu Upazila Awami League General Secretary Babul Das Babu are involved in this act.

But Babul Das denied the allegation, He said, none of them has any personal interest in filling the lake, but it has been done for public interest.

Locals said, after starting filling the lake, the upazila administration inspected the spot, but it did not take any measures; and on the contrary, red flags were hanged in certain places, so that locals can grab spaces in the red flag area.

According to environment activists, every year in the dry season when the lake water dries, lake filling goes on in a festive manner.

President of Mainimukh Bazar Businessmen Welfare Association Abdur Rashid said, the space of the bazar is getting narrowed due to Banana Bazar, Cow Bazar and Wood Bazar.

"Verbally Mainimukh Union Chairman told me that the Mainimukh Bazar can be expanded if WDBs dredged soil is dumped," he added.

Kamal Hossain Kamol said, "We have told WDB that if dredged soil is dumped here, it will be a facility for us. That is why dredged soil is dumped here. I am not informed about the lake filling."

Longdu Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Saiful Islam said, "WDB has hanged red flags so that locals can grab space or cultivate it. WDB can say it well why places outside the layout are being filled."

Sub-Divisional Engineer of WDB-Khagrachhari Arifur Rahman said, "According to my project study, if any religious institute or school has any need, we can donate dredged soil; in this case, they will give the transport cost. So, because of the demand of Mainimukhi Union Chairman and locals, the dredged soil is given."

President of Corruption Prevention Committee-Rangamati  Md Omar Faruq said, "If  the water route is filled with dredged soil, it will be destructive for the environment, and it is a big offence.

Marketing Manager of BFDC Commander Md Ashraful Alam Bhuiyan said, "We will do whatever it is needed for protecting the originality of the Kaptai Lake."

According to sources, there is restriction on raising any infrastructure in 120 means sea level (MSL) of the lake covering eight upazilas in Rangamati and two upazilas.

This ban was imposed by the local administration following a High Court order in 2022.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Khan said, "We are yet to receive such allegation. After inspection through UNO, decision will be taken."

Assistant Director of the DoE-Chattogram (with Additional Charge of Rangamati) Afjarul Islam said, "I have been informed of filling Kaptai Lake by dredged soil of  the Maini River. I have inspected the spot.

Primarily I have come to know names of local union chairman, bazar association president and general secretary, and other local leaders. The matter has been informed to the authorities concerned."

In this regard, Rangamati Chief Judicial Magistrate Court has asked for inquiry into the allegation of the lake filling by dredged soil of the Maini River.

On Thursday (May 16) noon, the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Mohammad Sahab Uddin ordered Assistant Superintendent of Police (Baghaichhari Circle) of Rangamati for submitting full inquiry report within one month, on June 23.



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