Mindless sand lifting threatens croplands, houses

Mindless sand lifting from a local ditch, surrounding vast tracts of agricultural lands at Musulliabad village, some eight kilometres from Kuakata Zero Point, in Kalapara upazila is posing threat to nearby farmlands and homesteads.

Locals alleged that a section of some local influential people is allegedly carrying out the illegal sand lifting.

Meanwhile, protesting the heinous act, villagers submitted a complaint to the deputy commissioner (DC) in Patuakhali, seeking his intervention in this regard and take necessary step to stop such illegal activities.

A syndicate of local sand traders, led by one Moniruzzaman of Kuakata area, are lifting sand from a ditch that surrounded huge croplands and many dwelling houses for the last two weeks, locals alleged.

The syndicate members are lifting sand from the ditch using a locally assembled dredging machine and supplying those to different areas through pipes, they said.

Buyers are also showing interest as the price is much cheap here, compared to other places, villagers said, adding that due to the illegal sand lifting nearby croplands and dwelling houses are facing threat of erosion.

They said several cracks have already developed in some of the adjacent croplands.

On April 17, some villagers, including Mohammad Musa, Jalil Biswas, Alauddin Biswas and Habibullah, submitted a written complaint to Patuakhali DC, seeking immediate steps to stop the illegal act.

Contacted, Moniruzzaman said they had bought the land beside the ditch to supply sand to different development project at Kuakata area.

Patuakhali DC Matiul Islam Chowdhury said they will take necessary steps in this regard soon.