Encroachment on Nabaganga River in Magura continues
Once mighty Nabaganga River flowing through Magura district now gives a pitiable look at places, as unscrupulous people continue encroachment and building structures on its banks while the authorities concerned are failing to take any noticeable action against the perpetrators. The photo was taken from Natun Bazar in Magura town. Photo: STAR
Once mighty Nabaganga River flowing through Magura district now appears like a narrow canal, especially from Natun Bazar to Nomani Maidan area in the district town, as unscrupulous people have constructed a large number of structures on its both banks for business and residential purposes. According to official records in Magura Water Development Board (WDB) office, the Nabaganga River was once 300-metre-wide on an average but due to continuous encroachment and rampant use of riverbed for cultivating crops, flow of the river has drastically fallen, turning it 40 to 50 metres wide at places. The 230-kilometre-long river originating from the Mathabhanga River in Chuadanga district flows through Jhenidah and Magura Sadar upazilas and falls into the Chitra River in Kalia upazila of Narail district. Four-vent Nabaganga regulator and a 72-kiometre flood control embankment were constructed along the course of the once profusely flowing river. "Since childhood, I saw strong current in the river. Once two large steamers named 'Ostrich' and 'Gazi' used to ply the river, carrying passengers from Kushtia to Khulna via Magura and Narail. But encroachers have filled up many areas of the riverbed, and it now dries up during summer," said Khan Ziaul Haque, a Language Movement veteran. During the recent survey, some unscrupulous people with the connivance of dishonest land officials recorded parts of the river in different areas as their private properties, locals alleged. When asked, Abdul Gafur, 'owner' of a piece of land on the bank of the Nabaganga River at Natun Bazar, claimed that he had built his tin-shed building there after purchasing the land from two people who inherited it from their father. "I have bought the land after examining the legality of the owner's document," Gafur claimed. Ripon Mian, owner of a grocery shop in the same area, claimed that he had inherited the land from his father. "Filling up the large water body will bring ecological disaster but WDB authorities in Magura remains inactive in this regard, much to the frustration of the conscious people in the area," said Abu Imam Mohammad Baker, executive director of Integrated Social and Agricultural Development Organisation (ISADO), a local NGO working for environment protection. "The encroachers are getting a sort of impunity as Magura WDB authorities are allegedly turning a deaf ear in this regard," said advocate Islam Ali Sardar, former president of Magura Lawyers Association. Contacted, Matiur Rahman, sub-assistant engineer of WDB in Magura, said, "To our surprise, the encroachers are showing ownership documents for the lands that are part of the river." Mohammad Lutfor Rahman, executive engineer of WDB in Magura, said, "I am not aware of river encroachment by any quarters as I joined here only one month ago. We will take action after proper investigation." "Nabaganga River contributes to the tradition and culture of our district, but it is now heading towards becoming a part of history due to continuous encroachment. Authorities should take stern action to protect the river," said Aminul Islam Chandu Mian, another Language Movement veteran in Magura.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments