Canal turns fish gher
A local influential man has turned a canal into a fish gher (enclosure) in Itabari village under Kalapara upazila, hampering free flow of water and creating problems for the local farmers.
Locals said the two-kilometre-long Itbaria canal was connected with the Andharmanik river. Water Development Board (WDB) built a dyke on the river bank about 20 years ago, but another mouth of the canal was still open, allowing water to flow through it.
Asabbar Khan, 65, a local farmer, said natural water flow continued through another outlet after the dyke was built. “We used the water for cultivating land, irrigation, bathing domestic animals and for household work,” he said.
Three years ago, Jamal Ahmed, an influential local man, set up a fish gher on the canal, saying that it is situated on his inherited land, he added.
Jamal has turned the canal into several ponds for cultivating fish. He also has a farm in which he raises goats, sheep and ducks.
“We cannot cultivate our lands in time as the collected water cannot flow out and water from the nearby river cannot enter the fields as the canal has been blocked. Jamal said the canal is on his land and we cannot protest about blocking it,” said Chan Mia, 60.
Contacted, Jamal said he set up a fish gher on his inherited land. He refused to make any further comment.
Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md Robiul Islam said he will ask the surveyor to investigate the matter.
“If the allegation is found true, we will take legal steps over the matter considering local people's interest,” he added.
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