75 Khagrachhari villages still cry for water, sanitation facilities
Jasim Majumder, Khagrachhari
At least two lakh indigenous people in 75 remote villages under eight upazilas in the district are suffering for want of drinking water and lack of proper sanitation. According the upazila public health officials, at least 13 villages in Dighinala upazila, 12 villages in Panchhari upazila, 9 villages in Sadar upazila, 15 villages in Mohalchhari upazila, 8 villages in Matiranga upazila, 13 villages in Laxmichhari upazila and 5 villages in Ramgour upazila have the nagging proglems. All the indigenous villages are situated in remote areas of the district. This correspondent visited several upazilas to witness water and sanitation crisis. The villagers are still fully dependent on nature and they collect necessary water form water bodies like 'chara', canal, spring, pond etc. As a result, most of them frequently suffer form water-born diseases like diarrhoea and jaundice. Both government and non-government organisations are yet to provide water and sanitation facilities to the hill people of Khagrachhari. A recent survey made by local NGO 'Green Hill' said, achieving water and sanitation for all by 2010 in CHT will remain a far cry as long as problems are not solved through strategic actions by all concerned. About 35 per cent families have no latrine and tubewell in the district while 41per cent use unhygienic latrine and impure water from 'chhara', a natural water body and only 24 per cent have hygienic latrine and tubewell , the report revealed. The report further observed that only 17 per cent family get water and sanitation facilities in the district when the national water and sanitation coverage is over 77 per cent. The report suggested a new action plan and integrated approach to resolve the problems. Chief Executive of District Public Health, Mohammad Shamsuddoha Nurunnabi said that geographic problems including remoteness, lack of technology and lack of integrated approach and awareness have added to the situation. Besides, there are areas where the authorities cannot set up tubewell just because of armed criminal groups. They often demand ransoms for development work. That's why sometimes we cannot do anything despite all good intention to ensure water and sanitation facilities in remote areas of Khagrachhari, he said. Khagrachhari Hill District Council Chairman Monindra Lal Tripura said, all relevant sectors, both government and non-governmental organisations should work in uniosn. Then it would be possible to achieve full water and sanitation coverage, he observed.
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