Mindless sand lifting from Atai river goes unabated
Roads, academic institutions, embankments and homesteads at five villages in Digholia upazila of Khulna district face erosion threat as mindless sand lifting from the river Atai goes unabated.
Locals alleged that a section of traders have been lifting sand from the river for the last three years.
Erosion by the river, triggered by illegal sand lifting, has taken a serious turn, they said, adding that many houses and cultivable land have already gone into the river.
The traders extract at least 30 cargo loads of sand from the river every day, using mini dredgers, the villager further said.
Khodeja Khatun of Hajigram village alleged the people involved in mindless sand lifting from the river are loyal to the local lawmaker.
When asked, Assistant Commissioner (land) Lutfun Nahar Azim said she had permitted none to lift sand from the river. “We will take steps to stop sand lifting,” she said.
Abdur Rob Howlader, executive engineer of Khulna Water Development Board admitted to extraction of sand illegally.
Contacted, Lawmaker Molla Jalaluddin admitted to giving permission to lift sand from the river Atai. “I will stop it if anyone complains in writing regarding damage to their properties,” the lawmaker said.
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