Kuakata canal turns AL man's fish gher

A canal through Char Kawa reserve forest in Kuakata area has been turned into a fish gher, blocking natural flow of water into and from the Bay.

Dhulashar union unit Awami League (AL) Vice-President Mahbubur Rahman Hawlader allegedly turned the canal into a fish farm around a month ago by grabbing it with the help of his sons Sohel, Bahadur and Jewel.

Locals said several hundred fishermen cannot fish in the canal, which has many species of fish, while over 300 acres of cultivable land in the area cannot be irrigated due to the dam.

The three-km-long canal, about six km east of Kuakata Zero Point, is used by fishermen as an emergency shelter during stormy weather in the Bay, they said.

Md Elias, a local fisherman, alleged that the occupier built the cross dam on the canal and stopped natural water flow from the Bay. “We used to catch fish in the canal round the year, but now we have been deprived of that opportunity,” he added.

“Earlier, we used the canal to go to the Bay by boat from our village, but now we have to walk about three km to go there, which is very hard for us,” Elias said.

Locals said the area is getting waterlogged, which affects agricultural land and trees in the reserve forest. No one in the forest department and land office is taking any step over the matter, although natural canal and forest land are being grabbed, they alleged.

The dam should be demolished immediately to solve the problem, they suggested.

Forest department's Beat Officer Md Harun said he also demanded breaking of the dam.

Alleged occupier Mahbubur said he built the dam to ease communication with the beach, considering the interest of tourists and local people. “I will build a box culvert on the dam to restore water flow. I am trying to get permission from the local land office,” he added.

Assistant Commissioner (Land) in Kalapara upazila Khondakar Robiul Islam said necessary steps will be taken after he visits the spot. Nobody can stop natural water flow, he added.