River erodes forest office, staff hostel in Sundarbans
Two more buildings under threat
The office building of Satkhira Forest Range and the forest staffs' hostel in Shyamnagar upazila in the Sundarbans were abandoned after rushing water from the Kholepetua River inundated the houses on Friday evening. The photo was taken during the ebb tide yesterday. Photo: STAR
The Kholpetua River in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira district devoured the office building of Satkhira Forest Range and the forest staffs' hostel in the Sundarbans on Friday evening. At least 18 family members of the forest guards and boatmen have already been shifted to safer places as two residential buildings built for the forest guards and boatmen in the Sundarbans are threatened due to continuous erosion by the river. As the heavy pressure of the river water threatens nearby embankment, the headquarters of 7 Bangladesh Border Guards (BGB) at Nildumur adjacent to the Sundarbans and at least ten villages including Bhamia, Porakatla, Burigoalini and Durgabati in Shyamnagar upazila are under risk. The forest range office, a hostel and two residential buildings were built for the forest officials, forest guards and boatmen about 1000 yards off of the river Kholpetua in 1975-76 financial year, said forest guard Golam Sarowar and boatman Abdur Razzak. But due to continuous river erosion over the years, the embankment of the river reached near the office and residential areas and the office, a hostel and two residential buildings in the Sundarbans went into the river under heavy pressure of water at about 7:30pm on Friday. Lt Col Anisur Rahman, commanding officer of 7 BGB Battalion, who visited the spot, told this correspondent that he has informed the concerned authorities including Water Development Board (WDB) officials of the matter to take measures as soon as possible. Contacted, Assistant Conservator of Forest Toufiqul Islam of the Sundarbans Forest Range (Western Zone) said they informed the WDB officials of the matter earlier but no steps were taken to save the buildings. Local WDB officials did not visit the spot as of writing this report. Even after repeated attempts, WDB Executive Engineer Mujibur Rahman could not be contacted as this correspondent's cell phone call was received.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments