Special Correspondent:

Random lifting of sand from here and there is the main among many other reasons behind the massive erosion along the both side banks of the Jamuna river, experts said.

Due to extensive erosion of the river, hundreds of people, who used to live along the riverbanks, have become homeless and destitute in the last few years. Many were forced to shift their homesteads to elsewhere more than one times for the need of survival. Despite several demands and requests, most of them are yet to get any permanent solution from the authorities concerned of the government except several assurances.

In one side, the government through the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) pouring crores of Taka in the Jamuna river against several projects, the influential quarter is destroying all the efforts of the government at a while by lifting sands from different unauthorized points of the river violating the Sand and Soil Management Act of 2010.

As a result, local residents are getting nothing except watching the breach and build games, they complained.

HOW THE SAND MAFIA IS KILLING THE JAMUNA RIVER?

With the backing of influential, illegal and indiscriminate sand extraction from here and there of the Jamuna river is increasing at an alarming rate causing massive erosion of the riverbanks and destruction of rural settlements and farmlands, experts opined.

As per the claim of the district administration, the Balumohal was leased out each time for one year (from 1st Baishakh to 30th Chaitra of every Bengali year) according to the Balumohal (Sand) and Soil Management Act-2010 through the District Balumahal Management Committee.

According to the data provided by district administration after submitting a RTI application, some 14 Balumohals were leased out in 2014 in Sirajganj district, while some 12 Balumohals were leased out in 2015, 13 in 2016 to 2018, 8 in 2019 to 2020, 6 in 2021 and 5 in 2022 to 2024.

Though, the lease of Balumohals was given to several institutions and persons each time, most of these were handled by one Abdus Sattar in the name of sub-lease. Like the previous 16 years of the Awami League government, this year Abdus Sattar lonely have grabbed the lease of all Balumohals and has started extracting sands from different points of the Jamuna river despite the scheduled points and government directives, locals said.

it is learnt that, though, the government declares some certain points as Balumohals, the lease holder Abdus Sattar and his recruited men using their muscle power lift sands regularly from several points of the Jamuna river by dredgers putting the embankments and different other installations like homesteads, schools, colleges and Mosques at risk.

Bulbul Ahmed, a resident of Bhatpiary village in Sadar upazila said, Sattar and his men lift sand for over the years from several points of the Jamuna river by using dredgers that makes the sand and soil of the riverbed vulnerable. As a result, erosion takes serious turn at different places during the water rising and decreasing period.

Talking to local residents, it was learned that, erosion has now started in Bhatpiari and Bahuka village in Sadar Upazila, Nishchintapur, Chargirish and Khasrajbari in Kazipur Upazila, Janatar School area, Umarpur, Sthal, Teghori, Kuragachha, Langalmura, Chhota Chowhali, Ghorzan, Fulhara, Chaluhara and Khaskaulia village in Chowhali Upazila, Gala, Gopalpur, Sonatani, Dhitpur, Sreepur, Kursi, Makra, Bhatdighulia, Koijuri, Char Thutia, Brahmangram, Jalalpur, Arkandi, Monakosa, Panchil and Hatpanchil area of Shahjadpur Upazila and Bardhul area of ​​Belkuchi Upazila.

Locals said, many croplands including paddy and vegetables in the erosion-affected areas have disappeared into the riverbed. In recent days, at least 100 houses in Bhetua village of Char Girish union of Kazipur upazila and at least 50 houses in Dhitpur village of Sonatani union of Shahjadpur upazila have been devoured by the Jamuna river.

In addition, Fuljorh Government Primary School, Char Girish Junior Secondary High School and Bhetua Government Primary School of Natuarpara union of Kazipur upazila have been facing erosion threat. People of Teghori area of ​​Sthal union of Chowhali upazila formed a human chain on the river bank on July 6 demanding necessary steps to prevent erosion.

On Monday last, at least 45-metre stretch of the riverbank protection embankment at Jotpara area in Chowhali upazila collapsed in the Jamuna river.

Mizanur Rahman, Chairman of ‘Save the Nature and Live’ said, “Random extraction of sand from vulnerable points of any river may cause of destructions like increasing erosion and flood. So, all concerned people should be aware before and after extracting sand from river.

There is a provision to carry previous and subsequent hydrographic surveys for the lease of Balumahal. Besides, digital surveys are recommended during the lease period to know the condition of riverbed so that necessary steps are possible to take in preventing probable risks.

While contacted, Mokhlesur Rahman, Executive Engineer of the BWDB and also one of the important members of the District Balumahal Management Committee said, “I don’t know-when, where and how the sand is extracted. It is matter of the District Administration. So, you can talk to them.”

When he was asked about hydrographic survey, which is a must for before and subsequent period of the lease, he said, no one of the district administration ever asked us to do so.

On condition of anonymity, an official of the district administration said, no one dares to race with Sattar for taking lease of the Balumohal. So, district administration has nothing to do.

Similarly, this correspondent tried to contact Abdus Sattar several times over cell phone for his comment over sand lifting, his phone was switched off.