RAJSHAHI, Oct 26: As water in the Padma River has started to decrease with the beginning of dry season, it is eroding riverbank in about three-kilometre area at Haripur Union in Paba Upazila.
As a result, the farmers are worried about losing their lands in the river.
This year, the water of Padma did not cross danger level. But, with the decrease in water level, many areas have already disappeared in the river.
Though the erosion could be checked at T-dam area of the city, no initiative has been taken to prevent it in other areas.
While visiting the area on Wednesday last, it was found that the erosion was going on at Gahamobona, Baganpara, Kholabona, Belua, Berpara, Kasba and Madanpur areas of Haripur Union.
Union Parishad Members Akbar Ali and Mominul Islam said, "Due to the lifting of sand by illegal dredgers, the Padma riverbank has become shaky and so the erosion is so severe here. Our ancestral property was lost in the river."
After visiting the erosion-hit areas, UP Chairman Rezvi Al Hasan Munjil said most of the riverbank areas at no. 5, 8 and 9 wards have become deplorable by the erosion. About 3,000 people live in those wards.
UP Member Akbar Ali said about one hundred people, including Sajjad, Mukul, Riazul, and Alhaj Abdus Sattar are going to lose their land in Baganpara area. Due to the lifting of sand beside the dam for the last six to seven years, their lands are being eroded.
Executive Engineer of Water Development Board Mokhlesur Rahman said minor erosion occurs when the water decreases, and it is normal.
While asked about sand lifting, he said, "We have no executive magistrate who can punish anyone. The district administration has leased quarry for lifting sand."
