Illegal sand lifting hits Guchchhogram
Illegal sand lifting with diesel-run shallow machines from a pond threatens erosion of Guchchhogram at Dahagram's Barabari village in Patgram upazila.
Homeless people living in Guchchhogram dare not protest against the illegal sand lifting as Dahagram Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Kamal Hossain Prodhan, who is also project chairman of earth filling project for another Guchchhogram, is allegedly involved in it, residents of Guchchogram said.
Abdul Quader, 45, of Guchchogram said Kamal's men have been lifting sand from a pond beside the Guchchhogram with two shallow machines round the clock for the last seven days. “Our Guchchhogram is at risk due to illegal sand lifting, and it might be devoured during the rainy season if lifting is not stopped immediately,” he said.
“We are seeing sand being lifted illegally beside our Guchchhogram, but we dare not protest in fear of harassment by the UP chairman's men,” said another Guchchhogram inhabitant Nabir Hossain, 44, adding that the administration should take necessary steps to stop the illegal sand lifting. “There are many places where sand and earth are available but the UP chairman is collecting sand with shallow machines instead of labourers from beside the Guchchhogram,” he added.
Shallow machine owner Mozaharul Islam, 38, said they are lifting sand as the UP chairman has ordered them to do so. “We get money from the UP chairman for lifting sand,” he said.
UP Chairman Kamal told this correspondent that sand is being lifted from a pond for earth filling in another field where another Guchchhogram will be built this year. “The existing Guchchhogram will not be harmed by sand lifting from a pond,” he said.
Patgram Upazila Project Implementation Officer Uttam Kumar Nandi told this correspondent that 70 tonnes of wheat have been allocated for earth filling in a field where another Guchchhogram will be built. “The project is designed in such a way that the earth filling work will be completed manually by day labourers,” he said, adding that he does not know about sand lifting with shallow machines beside the Guchchhogram.
Patgram Upazila Nirbahi Officer Noor Qutubul Alam said he is not aware of the matter. “I will visit the spot and take necessary steps to stop illegal sand lifting from beside the Guchchhogram,” he added.