Mindless sand lifting triggers erosion in Rajshahi

RAJSHAHI, Apr 28: Illegal sand lifting and earth cutting from Padma River in different areas of Godagari upazila has triggered erosion, threatening more than 500 nearby houses including three educational institutions.
Local people said some influential people are allegedly lifting sand from the rivers using shallow machine-run dredgers and selling it to different places.  They said the river erosion has taken a serious turn in recent time due to rampant sand lifting by using dredger. And the ongoing downpour has intensified the intensity of the erosion.
However, the authorities concerned who are supposed to monitor and make daily reports are apparently turning a
blind eye.
Villagers are now in fear of losing houses and croplands as the erosion of river has increased in recent time.
During a recent visit this correspondent found that Sarangpur, Sultanaganj, Kacharipara, Kobutorpara, Gongabari, Matikata, Bidirpur, Baroipara, Railbazaar, Premtoli are the areas worst affected by sand lifting and soil cutting.
Talking to The Daily Observer, Shaheb Ali of Gongabari village said that every day huge quantity of sand is extracted from the river and sent to different areas using more than 100 trucks. Due to rampant lifting of sand, every year they encounter massive erosion during rainy season.
Muzibur Rahman of Sultanaganj said that more than 500 houses are now only 200 yards away to be devoured. Moreover Sultanaganj High School, Kacharipara Govt Primary School and Sultanaganj Govt Primary School are also under serious threat of erosion, as these are now only half a kilometre away from the river erosion.
Former Councillor of Godagari municipality Mili said that if necessary measures to control illegal sand and soil lifting form the river bank are not taken immediately, the river erosion will turn more serious in the upcoming rainy season and will devour arable lands, educational institutions, roads and houses.
 "We have sent a written application to the Water Development Board for taking actions in this regard," she added.
Godagari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Jahid Newaz said, "Meanwhile, we visited the erosion affected areas of the upazila. Necessary measures would be taken to control river erosion as early as possible."  
Godagari Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Sanowar Hossain said that only the actual lease holders can carry out sand lifting from the fixed areas of the river bed. If anyone is found lifting sand illegally, then necessary legal steps would be taken against him, he added.