Sand lifting spree jeopardising environment, infrastructure

Some locally influential quarters have been extracting sand illegally from three important rivers namely Karatoa, Bangali and Alai flowing through Saghata upazila of Gaibandha district for a long time threatening environment, infrastructure and agricultural land.

Unauthorised sand lifting by these unscrupulous people allegedly in connivance with some local government officials is also exacerbating soil erosion on the rivers' banks. Totally unmindful of its disastrous impact, they are continuing sand extraction by cutting riverbeds placing powerful dredgers at 5/6 spots in each of the rivers.

Locals alleged that the sand traders have been continuing their illegal business without facing any obstacle as they are managing local administration officials by paying monthly kickbacks.

However, sources in the upazila administration said that the local authorities were continuing a campaign against illegal sand extraction from the riverbeds. During a spot visit, it was seen that sand was being extracted by using dredgers at important places in Mosque Ghat, Trimohani, Kachua and Hindupara areas during the daytime and afternoon. For unabated sand lifting, roads and launch jetties in the rural areas are being greatly damaged.

Although sand is being extracted from the riverbeds, there is no effective monitoring or surveillance activity anywhere.

Local residents complained that despite the wrongdoing going on for a long time, no visible operation has been carried out against it for mysterious reasons. As a result, sand extraction has become a kind of 'licensed' activity. Some people like Mohammad Ali of Kachua village said that it has become very difficult to live here due to the noise of dredgers and the movement of trucks day and night.

Despite complaining for many days, no action is being taken. They demand the immediate removal of the illegal dredgers, stopping sand extraction and punishment of those involved.

Zahid Khandaker, general secretary of the local Saghata Upazila Press Club, said that these irregularities are not being stopped because the Saghata Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Upazila Assistant Land Officer are taking monthly 'kickbacks' through their nominated persons.

On Tuesday (January 13), when Saghata UNO Md. Ashraful Kabir was facing journalists' questions about all these issues, he allegedly behaved with them rudely.

In this regard, the UNO said that a campaign against illegal sand extraction at the administration's initiative is ongoing. Those involved in sand extraction in violation of the law will not be spared, he warned.

The campaign will continue, the culprits will be identified and brought under the law and necessary legal action will be taken against them, he went on.

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