Sand lifting rampant

Illegal sand lifting with dredgers from the Dharla and Teesta rivers in 40 char areas of the district has been going on unabated for the last few months.

Abdus Sobhan, 50, a resident of Dharla river char Bowalmari in Sadar upazila said a local syndicate lifts sand from the Dharla river at three points in the char every night and the sand is being sold openly on the spot. “The syndicate earns Tk 45,000 to Tk 50,000 every day,” he added.

Farmer Fazlar Rahman, 54, of Teesta char Gobardhan in Aditmari upazila said they dare not protest against the syndicate as the lifters are very influential. “Sand lifting causes erosion and many homesteads, a mosque and large areas of arable land are under threat,” he added.

Truck driver Soleman Miah, 42, of Kulaghat village in Lalmonirhat Sadar said they pay Tk 300 to Tk 350 to the syndicate for one truck of sand, which they sell for Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,300 in the mainland. “Around 50 to 60 trucks of sand are sold from each spot of sand lifting in the char,” he said.

Farmer Nabiul Islam, 45, of Teesta char Kalmati said village roads are getting damaged due to frequent movement of sand-laden trucks.

Sekendar Ali, 48, a sand lifter of char Gobordhan area, said there is a huge amount of sand in Teesta river and so he lifts the sand. It does not harm the river or cause erosion, he claimed.

Water Development Board Executive Engineer Abu Bakkar said as sand is lifted from the rivers in an unplanned way it creates many deep holes in the river bed, hampering normal water flow. “We have informed the local administration about the matter, seeking legal steps to stop sand lifting,” he added.

Inspector of the Department of Environment in Rangpur Saifuddin Ahmed said illegal sand lifting from the river causes erosion and erosion washes away homesteads, arable lands and trees. “Due to shortage of human resources we can't conduct drives regularly, but we will launch a special drive in this regard very soon,” he added.

Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shafiqul Islam said steps will be taken to stop illegal sand lifting soon.