Log hunt threatens Kuakata beach

A portion of Kuakata sea beach remains under water following indiscriminate digging in the area as a section of locals often try to find out valuable logs of dead sundary trees from under the sands.Photo: STAR

Ecosystem in Kuakata sea beach faces threat as a section of locals dig areas there to find out logs of dead sundary trees while a group of youths are engaged in giving motorbike rides to tourists on the beach for rent.
In addition to threatening ecology in the area, the callous acts may lead to submersion of a large portion of the scenic beach in near future if necessary steps are not taken immediately, experts said.
During a recent visit to the beach, this correspondent saw that over two kilometre areas in the western region of the beach has become rough while a large portion has gone under water, making the area unfit for use by tourists from home and abroad.
Random digging in the beach threatens flood control embankment in the area but no step is yet seen to prevent the culprits, said schoolteacher Anwar Hossain, a resident of West Khajura village.
"I will benefit if I can collect sundary wood from the beach. I do not need to know any other thing," said Rustom Ali, a local wood collector.
Sand from the top layer of the beach sees gradual removal as a group of local youths drive motorbikes on rental basis there, said Abu Naser Khan, chairman of Bangladesh Paribesh Bachao Andolon, a movement to save the environment and ecology.
Random movement of motorbikes is also threatening the red crabs and ecology of Kuakata beach as a whole, he said, adding that motorbike driving should be stopped to save the beach.
Besides, a good number of local people including housewives and schoolchildren are engaged in collecting cockles in southern coast including Kuakata as it brings them good amount. The item is allegedly smuggled abroad as it has good demand in Middle East countries.
Several beasts and migratory birds that live on cockles and others marine foods are now facing food crisis and the beach is losing its beauty due to such activities, Naser Khan said.