Unscrupulous people have continued sand lifting from Jamuneshwari River at Masumpur in Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur district, prompting serious erosion in the area.Photo: STAR

Erosion by the river Jamuneshwari has taken a serious turn at Masumpur in Mithapukur upazila of the district as illegal sand lifting from the river in the area goes unabated.
Locals said over 1,000 hectares of farm land and a portion of Baluya High School have been eroded by the river due to sand lifting by one Hafizur Rahman and his men.
Chhoran-Shothibari road got damaged due to plying of heavyweight sand-laden trucks, they said, adding that erosion caused by sand lifting also damaged a riverside building in the area.
After intervention by local administration, Hafizur and his men stopped sand lifting from the river. After a few days, he again started sand extraction, ignoring the administration order, they alleged.
Ashrafuzzaman, a businessman of Baluya Bazar, urged the authorities concerned to stop mindless sand lifting from the river.
Contacted, Mithapukur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) ASM Abu Horaira said he recently visited the area and imposed a ban on illegal sand extraction from the river.
If illegal sand extraction is not stopped, lawful action will be taken against the man involved, the UNO said, adding that Water Development Board authorities to investigate the matter soon.
WDB officials said they would investigate the impact of sand lifting and submit a report.
Zakir Hossain, chairman of Mithapukur upazila Parishad said they will investigate the matter and take legal action against the person involved in illegal sand lifting from the river.