Illegal sand lifting fuels erosion fear at Bauphal

BAUPHAL, PATUAKHALI, July 20:  Illegal sand extraction continues unabated from the Tentulia and Lohalia rivers in Patuakhali's Bauphal Upazila despite the government's decision not to lease out sand and water bodies there this year, prompting fears of worsening river erosion.

Local residents alleged that a well-organised syndicate, backed by political influence, has been using dredgers to extract sand under the cover of darkness, disrupting the rivers' natural flow and increasing erosion risks.

They said severe erosion has already affected several areas, including Baro Dalima and Nimdi in Nazirpur Union, Mominpur and Mathbaria in Keshabpur Union, Karkhana in Kazipara Union and parts of Chandradwip Union.

According to residents, numerous homesteads, cropland, educational institutions and other establishments have already been lost to the rivers. They fear the situation could worsen during the ongoing monsoon if illegal sand extraction is not stopped.

Sources said the government decided not to lease out sand or water bodies in the Tentulia and Lohalia rivers this year due to the growing threat of river erosion. The leasing process was reportedly halted after a written application was submitted to the district administration by Advocate Mujahidul Islam, Joint Convener of the Central Committee of the National Citizen Party (NCP).

Recently, the upazila administration seized a dredger named Rakib while it was allegedly being used for illegal sand extraction near Nimdi Launch Ghat.
However, the seized dredger has since been kept on top of sand-filled geo-bags installed as part of an ongoing riverbank protection project, triggering fresh concern among local residents.

They alleged that the weight of the dredger could damage the geo-bags, potentially undermining the multi-crore river protection project.
Members of the local civil society urged the authorities to immediately remove the dredger from the geo-bags, take strict action against those involved in illegal sand extraction and strengthen measures to protect erosion-prone areas.

Bauphal Upazila Nirbahi Officer Saleh Ahmed confirmed that a dredger had been seized in the Nimdi Launch Ghat area and placed under the custody of the union's panel chairman and a dafadar.

"If the dredger is found to be damaging the sand-filled geo-bags, it will be removed immediately," the UNO said.