MADHYANAGAR, SUNAMGANJ, Mar 5: Violating policy guidelines, four water bodies adjacent to the ecologically sensitive Tanguar Haor in Sunamganj's Madhyanagar and Tahirpur upazilas were leased out under khas collection last year.
Authorities, however, admit they have no information on whether the revenue collected from these leases was ever deposited into the government exchequer.
Recently, the Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Tahirpur cancelled the khas collection agreements, which led to heated exchanges between the leaseholders and the official.
The matter was reported in writing through WhatsApp to senior district administration officials recently.
According to sources, the water bodies are Bhanga Khal of Chaptan Haor, part of the Balda group water body, Paniar Doba, and Datbhanga water body.
These were allegedly leased out irregularly by then Tahirpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abul Hashem.
The leases were awarded to Tafur Alam of Latifpur (Datbhanga), Nazir Hossain of Darund Badaghat (Bhanga Khal), Moklis Mia of Takatukia (Balda group), and Arif Ahmed of Joynagar (Paniar Doba). Following directives from higher authorities, the AC (Land) recently cancelled the leases.
In his report, the AC (Land) alleged that the leaseholders refused to receive the cancellation letters and instead issued threats and posted derogatory remarks on Facebook.
A district administration official said former joint convener of Tahirpur Upazila Chhatra Dal, Rokon Uddin, misbehaved with the AC (Land) on the night of December 23 and later mocked him on social media.
Land officers Ashish Chakraborty and Ruhul Amin of Dihibati and Sadar tehsil offices confirmed that the leases violated rules.
They said they had informed higher authorities in writing but did not know whether any revenue from these leases was deposited.
Rokon Uddin, identifying himself as Tahirpur correspondent of Jainta Barta, claimed he only went to the AC (Land)'s office to ask why the Datbhanga lease was cancelled. He denied misbehaviour and said his Facebook post was not directed at the official.
Tahirpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Mehedi Hasan Manik acknowledged that some misunderstanding had occurred between Rokon and the AC (Land) but declined further comment.
Tanguar Haor, a Ramsar site and one of Bangladesh's most ecologically critical wetlands, is already under severe threat due to unregulated tourism, illegal sand lifting, destructive fishing nets, deforestation of swamp forests and chemical pollution.
On November 10, the government issued the 'Tanguar and Hakaluki Haor Protection Order' under the Bangladesh Water Act 2013 to enforce strict conservation measures.
A 10-member district-level committee has been formed to implement the order, protect swamp forests, regulate harmful activities and conduct regular drives. Violation of the order is punishable under the law.
