Stop sand-filling, road building along Kohelia
The government must stop sand filling and road construction beside the river Kohelia in Cox's Bazar, demanded National River Alliance and Bapa yesterday.
Expressing concern over the matter, they sought that the government follow the High Court directives to save the country's rivers.
The green organisations placed the demands during a protest programme at Dhaka Reporters Unity in Segunbagicha.
Funded by Jica, "Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Project", is being implemented by Roads and Highways Department in Matarbari of Moheshkhali, Cox's Bazar.
Under the project, a 7.5km road along the river is proposed to be constructed for carrying materials for the power plant and peoples' movement. Although the Department of Environment allowed RHD to build road for 6.5km, the local constructing company already dumped sand on 7.4km stretch to construct the road.
Visiting the place on January 16 and 17, National River Alliance observed the scenario and alleged that since the start of the project, Kohelia River has come under different environmental threat. Local canals and wetlands are being harmed, and fishermen are being prevented from fishing.
Bapa General Secretary Sharif Jamil said, "While constructing the road, the current laws and regulations haven't been considered, which is very unfortunate. We talked to the Cox's Bazar DC about this matter, but to no avail."
National River Alliance Convener Sharmin Murshid said, "The responsibilities to save rivers fall on DCs. It is assured by the constitution and the existing laws say about it too. The time has come for the DCs to face legal challenge. They have to be accountable as to why they are not implementing the law properly."
Bapa Joint Secretary Prof Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder said, "The country's rivers have been disappearing over the years; and the current sand filling and road construction at the Koheliya is one of the examples of how a river can be lost."
"We are not against development, but if anyone wants to destroy rivers in the name of development, we will protest," he said.
Bapa Joint Secretary Humayun Kabir Sumon said, "Demarcation pillars are not set up properly to protect the country's rivers. If the section 18 (a) of the constitution is followed properly by the district administrations, the nature can be saved."
National River Alliance founding member Sayeeda Roxana Khan was also present at the programme.
Contacted, the project director (RHD) Shyamal Kumar Bhattacharya, said, "We are not filling up the river. We are constructing a road beside it and some portions of the river had to be filled as the road is going to work as a dyke too."
"Sand might have fallen into river water but it is temporary. We'll remove those once everything's implemented. But we never hampered the river's flow," he added.
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