Teesta River devours cropland, puts Palashpur at risk of disappearing

RAJARHAT, KURIGRAM, Sept 23: Severe erosion by the Teesta River has been devouring croplands in Rajarhat Upazila, putting Palashpur Village in Nazimkhan Union at risk of disappearing.

The erosion has become particularly intense in the Hasarpar area of Somnarayan mouza, where farmland is disappearing into the river almost every day. The collapse of riverbanks, along with soil and geo-bags slipping into the river, has left farmers and residents living in fear.

Locals said the village itself could be threatened if effective measures are not taken soon to stop the erosion.

During a recent visit, residents said geo-bags had previously been placed along vulnerable sections of the Teesta riverbank to prevent erosion. However, fresh erosion has caused soil around the geo-bags to collapse into the river. In some places, the soil beneath the bags has also subsided.

As a result, the existing protective measures have failed to stop the erosion, leaving new areas increasingly vulnerable.

Farmer Akul Sarker, 45, of Palashpur, said 75 decimals of his farmland were at risk.

“This land is the main support for my family. I am watching the soil disappear into the river before my eyes. I am constantly worried that the entire plot will be lost,” he said.

Another farmer, Bakul, 40, said 60 decimals of his land were threatened by erosion.

“The soil around the areas where geo-bags were placed is now sinking. It will be difficult to save the farmland unless immediate measures are taken,” he said.

Abdur Rashid, 55, a riverside resident, said around 50 decimals of his land were facing erosion.

“If we lose our land, our source of income will disappear. It is heartbreaking to watch our own land being swallowed by the river,” he said.

Nazimkhan Union Parishad Ward 8 member Nazrul Islam said the erosion in Palashpur had become severe and that croplands had already been lost.

He warned that the erosion could reach homesteads unless preventive measures were taken quickly.
Kurigram Water Development Board Executive Engineer Rakibul Hasan said work had previously been carried out in erosion-hit areas of Hasarpar-Palashpur.

“Work will begin quickly once funds are allocated for the remaining sections,” he said.