<i>Save water bodies in Khagrachhari</i>
Illegal encroachment has narrowed down a canal that branched out of the river Chengi in Bhangabridge area under Sadar Upazila in the hill district of Khagrachhari. Photo: Jasim Majumder
Natural lakes, canals and other water bodies in Khagrachhari hill district are shrinking as the encroachers continued constructing buildings and structures on them unabated. The encroachment on water bodies is going on as the authorities concerned hardly take action against the perpetrators, sources said. During a recent spot survey this correspondent found illegal houses, shops and slums on Kalabagan Lake, Master Para canal, Pankhiyapara Canal, Muslim Para canal, Narikel Bagan canal, Nayanpur canal, Rajjamonipara and Golabari canal in the hill town area. The encroachers even showed documents of lease (!) they claimed to have taken from the district administration or Khagrachhari hill district council that the authorities concerned refuted. The Kalabagan Lake has lost its beauty as land grabbers, reportedly maintaining link with major political parties, have built structures encroaching on its banks. The lake, which was once an attractive place for taking a stroll, has now virtually become off-limits for the people of the hilly town due to encroachment and pollution. Ruhul Amin, a resident of Kalabagan, said they have lost a splendid recreation spot as a huge stretch of the lake has been occupied illegally during the last few years. There are at least 40-50 shops erected encroaching Pankhayapara and Nayanpur canals. A luxurious residential hotel has also been erected encroaching on bank of the river Chengi near Khagrachhari Bazar. An influential member of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council has built houses, offices encroaching on bank of a canal that branched out from the Chengi river. Absence of action against the massive illegal structures encourages other people to erect structures and set up slums on the Chengi River to rent them out, alleged the local people. As encroachment goes on water bodies unabated, the lakes, canals and other water bodies continue to shrink, posing health hazard to the people. Particularly those living in the foothills or low-lying areas of the hilly district fall victim to different waterborne diseases during the rainy season, alleged Mohammad Shahidullah -- an environment worker. District Awami League General Secretary Mohammad Zahedul Alam said they have formed human chains on different occasions to protest leasing out of land along the water bodies and would launch further movement to save the water bodies from illegal encroachment.He blamed Khagrachhari Municipality Chairman Anwar Hossen for keeping mum since his voice could have helped check indiscriminate leasing out of land along the water bodies and encroachment on their banks. When contacted, Anwar said he had little to do in checking the encroachment since district council leases out land in the district. He can only put objection on the leasing out of land inside the municipal areas, he said, adding that he would help district administration to take action against the illegal encroachers. Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abdullah said a mobile court is there to check illegal encroachment and a drive would be launched in this regard soon. Khagrachhari Hill District Council Chairman Ruhity Karbary blamed the former district council chairman for leasing out the water bodies. Ruhity said he has already cancelled those lease agreements, expressing determination to save the water bodies from encroachments.
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