Mindless stone lifting from rivers triggers erosion

Vast tracts of farmland in different villages under Patgram upazila of the district are turning sandy and unfit for farming due to erosion caused by illegal stone lifting from the Dharla, Saniazan and Shingirmari rivers. 

Though the district and upazila administrations are taking stern action against illegal stone lifting, the organised gangs are continuing to lift stones from the three rivers and adjoining areas.

Farmer Nazrul Islam of Islampur village under the upazila, said he has lost four bighas of land in the last two years due to erosion caused by illegal stone lifting from the river Dharla. “I strongly protested against illegal stone lifting from the river  beside my arable lands, but the stone lifters didn't listen to me as they are local musclemen,” he added.

Mafiz Uddin, a farmer of Sarkererhat village of the upazila, said he lost six bighas of arable land due to illegal stone lifting from the river. “We cannot grow crops on our lands as they have turned sandy,” he added.

Farmers' leader Nabir Hossain of Kafir Bazar village said at least 4,000 bighas of land belonging to at least 2,000 farmers of 20 villages have been eroded due to illegal stone lifting from the three rivers and adjoining areas in the last 12 years

“Many farmers were harassed physically by the stone lifters when they protested against illegal stones lifting in the past. So we do not dare to protest fearing harassment,” said farmer Nur Hossain of Burimari village.

Seeking anonymity, an official of Patgram agriculture office said they know about the matter, but cannot do anything because the stone lifters are allegedly involved with the ruling party.

Nur Islam, upazila agriculture officer, said there is no exact figure of how much farmland has been eroded due to illegal stone lifting. The district and upazila administrations are conducting drives against illegal stone lifting, he added.

Noor Qutubul Alam, upazila nirbahi officer of Patgram, said the administration is filing cases against the lifters. We will show zero tolerance for illegal stone lifting from the rivers and adjoining areas, he added.