Illegal sand lifting poses threat to farmlands

A local influential person has started lifting sand from a ditch, surrounding agricultural lands at Sharsi village in Barishal Sadar upazila, posing threat to nearby farmlands and damaging the soil fertility in the area as well.

The villagers submitted a complaint to the local police, seeking their intervention in this regard and take necessary step to stop such illegal activities.

During a visit to the area, it was seen that local resident, Nurul Islam, set up two dredging machines at the agriculture land two days ago. He was lifting sand from the ditch dug at the land using the dredging machines. The sand is brought through plastic pipes to raise the level of a nearby low-lying land.

Nurul Islam has set up the dredging machines to fill his low-lying farmland with sand, said locals.

Local people said landslides may happen anytime here due to the illegal sand lifting.

 Mizan, a local youth, said this agricultural land is very fertile. Currently, Aman paddy cultivation is going on. But sand lifting from the hole is posing threat to the farmlands.

The owner of the adjoining land, Dulal Fakir, said once sand extraction is started, nothing will grow in the farmland, much to the worry of local farmers.

At least 50 farmers of the village have lodged a complaint with Airport Police Station against setting up of the dredging machines. 

 Contacted, the officer-in-charge (OC) of Airport Police Station said he had received allegation of lifting sand from the agricultural land using dredging machines.

They were investigating the matter, said the OC.

Nurul Islam said he has set up dredging machines at his own land to fill his another low-lying farmland with sand. It is not harmful for anyone.

He, however, said that he did not take any permission from the authorities concerned to set up the dredging machines. 

 Contacted, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Munibur Rahman said he was not aware of the matter.

Urgent action will be taken in this regard, said the UNO. 

 Rafiqul Alam, secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (Bapa) Barishal unit, said such illegal activities will have an adverse effect on the environment.

They demand immediate action against such illegal activities.