Sand lifting threat to croplands

Illegal sand lifting from the Bangalee river in Shaghata upazila of the district goes unabated, posing threat to the riverbank and its adjoining croplands.

A vast tract of croplands face erosion threat as large ditches were created adjacent to the riverbank due to mindless sand lifting by some unscrupulous traders, said locals.

Despite repeated pleas, the authorities concerned are yet to take any steps to stop sand lifting from the river, Shahinur Rahman Saju, chairman of Kamalerpara Union Parishad.

In 2013-14 fiscal year, Water Development Board (WDB) constructed the river bank protection dam along two kilometres of vulnerable areas at Falia Digor in Kamalerpara union to save the areas from erosion.

But it is now under threat of erosion due to the mindless sand lifting, said local people.

A section of unscrupulous traders, allegedly led by Monwar Hossain, Nazrul Islam, Momin Mia and Boltu Sarker, continued lifting sand from the river using dredgers, they said.

Local people face the wrath of the gang of sand lifters when protested, said Abdus Salam, a farmer of Pagura village.

Punitive measures will be taken against the sand lifters soon, said Prakash Krishna Sarker, executive engineer of WDB in Gaibandha.