Mindless sand lifting threatens Teesta flood control dyke

Sand mining from near the flood control dyke along the Teesta River at Haripur in Gaibandha's Sundarganj upazila is going on unabated, weakening the dyke and making it vulnerable to collapse in the rainy season.

The sand-miners are busy in the dry season, extracting sand for construction sites and stockpiling it to sell at high price in the rainy season, when sand is otherwise unavailable.

At least two kilometres of the dyke have been  badly damaged, with ditches on the upper surface, due to the frequent movement of tractors. The banks of the dyke have collapsed at many points, locals said.

"The whole area is engulfed by dust, creating a health hazard for the locals, especially for children," said freedom fighter Abdul Wahed, who lives on the bank of the Teesta.

"Sand traders are reluctant to stop the movement of tractors on the dyke, which is worsening its condition," said Khorshed Alam, a former UP chairman.

Last month, a mobile court fined a sand trader Tk 1 lakh, but the situation is still the same, locals said.

"Stern action will be taken against the illegal sand miners immediately if they do not stop pilfering sand from beside the dyke," said Abdul Hye Milton, upazila nirbahi officer of Sundarganj upazila.