Unplanned pond digging on arable land rampant in Rajshahi

RAJSHAHI, Dec 24: Unplanned pond digging on arable lands in different upazilas of the district continues unabated, thanks to laxity of the authorities concerned.
 The unlawful act is going on under the nose of the local administration in different areas of Charghat, Godagari, Baghmara, and Tanore upazilas.
Taking lease of arable crop lands, a section of greedy people have been digging ponds after the harvest of crops. But the local administration is yet to any necessary legal steps to control it, many villagers said.
  If such rampant digging of ponds is not controlled immediately, the district will see a great fall in production of crops in near future, agriculturists predict.
 While visiting Raotha area, Holidiyagachi, Jagirpara villages of Charghat upazila, this correspondent found digging of ponds is going on fertile land by a section of local influential musclemen.  
Talking to The Daily Observer, Abul Kalam said that he was digging a pond on his three bighas of land after cutting down trees of a mango orchard as the mango trees do not bear fruits anymore.
To get good amount of money, he started to dig a pond which is not going to harm nearby arable lands, he claimed.
Nibaran Chandra Barman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Charghat Police Station, said that it is illegal to dig ponds on arable lands changing the owners of the lands.
"We would take necessary measures in this connection after having written allegation, the OC added.
 In this regard, Abdus Samad, upazila executive officer, said that he was unaware of such unlawful acts. If this occurs, necessary legal measures would be taken as soon as possible, the officer added.
While talking to this correspondent local people of Puthia upazila alleged a section of local influential persons here have been digging ponds after paddy harvest for one month.
They are digging ponds near the irrigation pump of Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA).
Besides, the digging tractors' sound is creating sound pollution. The concerned authority should take necessary measures to stop digging of ponds, they added.
Talking to The Daily Observer Lalon, a pond digger said that he took lease of the land for the next eight years. The owner of the land knows in this connection.
BMDA Assistant Engineer Selim Reza, said that he doesn't know in this connection. If ponds were dig on arable land near irrigation pump, it will affect nearby arable land's production, he added.