Rampant stone lifting from river poses erosion threat
Stones are being lifted from Goneswari River in Kolmakanda upazila of Netrakona district by using a dredger and workers (inset) are engaged in loading trawlers with stones to send the construction material to different places including capital Dhaka.Photo: STAR
Rampant stone lifting from Goneshwari River in bordering Kolmakanda upazila under Netrakona district puts the adjacent villages and farmlands under serious risk of erosion. A group of local influential people allegedly belonging to ruling Awami League (AL) have continued the unscrupulous act for over a month. Stone quarries in different areas of the country are under government control and nobody is allowed to dig riverbeds without government permission. However, stone lifters in Kolmakanda seem to have got a sort of exemption in this regard as 15-20 dredgers are engaged in digging the river day and night apparently without any interference from the upazila administration and police. Common people and local public representatives protested the act in the beginning but the perpetrators are too strong and arrogant to care it. Locals alleged that a Lengura union parishad (UP) member who is also union AL activist, general secretary of Lengura Jubo League, two Jubo League activists and a few other ruling party men have formed a syndicate for illegal stone lifting. While visiting the area a few days ago, this correspondent witnessed around 15 dredgers digging the river to lift stones in two kilometre areas of Goneswari River. After being separated from mud and brought to the river bank by using large pumps, the stones are loaded in engine-driven trawlers to carry up to Lengura Bazaar for sending to different places including capital Dhaka for use in construction of houses, roads and bridges. Jubo League activist Abdul Majid of Fulbari told this correspondent that he was collecting stones for over three weeks days with the help of a dredger but has not sought permission for it from anybody. "I gather stones on the river bank with the help of a dredger and other machines and sell it to the buyers coming from different places. Nobody forbade me to do it. Lots of people are lifting stones. I am just one of them. If the government prohibits, I shall stop the act," he said. "Stone collectors do not care protests from locals. Sands are washed away as dredgers are digging deep into the riverbed. So, erosion is inevitable in the coming rainy season," said Lengura UP member Nur Hossain, also a leader of local AL. “If stone digging continues in this manner, erosion will wipe out the villages beside the Goneswari River and we will become homeless,” said Syed Ali of Kalapani village. Locals have urged government interference in this regard. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Netrakona Anwar Hossen Chowdhury said he has heard the matter unofficially. "I have decided to take legal steps after discussion with Kolmakanda upazila nirbahi officer," he said.
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