BAUPHAL, PATUAKHALI, July 7: Thousands of acres of land in four unions of Bauphal Upazila in Patuakhali have been swallowed by the river due to ongoing erosion of the Tentulia River. Around 50,000 people living along the riverbank are spending their days in constant fear of further erosion.
Amid this situation, the upazila administration has decided to lease sand extraction sites (sand quarries) in the severely erosion-hit Tentulia River by identifying it as the Buragauranga River. The move has triggered anger among locals, who also fear that it could accelerate river erosion.
Residents and affected people have demanded cancellation of the decision to lease sand quarries in erosion-prone areas.
According to the Bauphal Upazila Land Office, a public auction for leasing two sand quarries in the upazila is scheduled for June 11. A notice issued by the office states that the Nimdi launch ghat area falls under the Buragauranga River. However, according to cadastral maps, Nimdi launch ghat is located along the Tentulia River. Locals have strongly objected to this discrepancy.
Allegations have surfaced that the administration has renamed the Tentulia River as the Buragauranga River in the notice to serve vested interests.
According to the national information portal, Buragauranga is listed as river number 20 in Patuakhali District's river inventory. Historical CS, RS and SA records show that the river is about 46 kilometres long. It is said to originate from the Tentulia River in Auliapur area of Dashmina Upazila, and from Galachipa it continues as Buragauranga before flowing into the Bay of Bengal. Locals say there is no existence of the Buragauranga River within Bauphal Upazila.
They allege that renaming the Tentulia River as Buragauranga in order to lease sand quarries is a "manipulative tactic".
Resident Abu Bakar from Nazirpur Union said thousands of acres have already been lost to erosion over the years, shrinking the region's map. He said erosion has intensified again with the onset of the monsoon, and warned that leasing sand quarries would expose more areas to severe risk. "This must be stopped at any cost," he said.
He added that people have been protesting erosion for years through human chains and other programmes, and that governments have repeatedly promised river protection projects. "Leasing sand quarries in such an area is like pushing people into the river," he said.
Another resident, Md Sohel Hossain of Chandradwip, said the union is surrounded by the Tetulia River and already struggling with erosion. He warned that identifying the river as Buragauranga for sand leasing would intensify erosion and push people toward destitution. He also threatened protests if the decision is not withdrawn.
Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Bauphal , Sohag Milu, said the decision was taken in line with the district sand management committee's approval. He added that the issue of ongoing erosion in the Tentulia River area would be brought to the attention of the deputy commissioner.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Bauphal Saleh Ahmed said necessary steps would be taken in consultation with the deputy commissioner to avoid sand leasing in erosion-affected areas.
