Leased for fish farming, now a makeshift market
Ghoshal Sarobar, a pond on the premises of the 400-year-old Tushbhander Zamindar Bari in Lalmonirhat's Kaliganj upazila, was leased to a local resident for fish farming. He has, however, constructed over a hundred shops illegally by filling the pond's bank with earth.
The pond has now become smaller, and the surroundings have become chaotic. At this rate, the waterbody's heritage value will remain in name only.
In a recent visit, this correspondent saw that most of the shops are makeshift, while a few are permanent.
There are food outlets, tea stalls, barber shops, electronic stores and many other things at the illegally built "market".
Wastes produced from the place are disposed of in the pond every day, contaminating the historical waterbody.
Locals alleged that the upazila administration took the initiative to evict the illegal structures two years ago, but the drive was abruptly halted for unknown reasons. At the time, only three or four structures were evicted.
Kaliganj upazila administration, the pond's current owner, leased it out to one Rashed Khan for Tk 8 lakh for three years to farm fish. But the lessee is making Tk 3 to 4 lakh every month by collecting rent from illegal structures, according to sources.
According to the land office, the pond's area is 114 decimals (1.14 acres). However, Abdul Quader Mia, land assistant officer (acting) of Tushbhandar union, said the area hasn't been measured since the construction of illegal structures, so the current measurement is unknown.
"The government is getting expected revenue by leasing it. Only the higher authorities know whether the lease will be cancelled or not in wake of the allegations," he added.
Contacted, Rashed Khan, the lessee of Ghoshal Sarobar, declined to comment.
The locals demanded that the pond be kept free of leases and made available for public use.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Kaliganj Abdul Mannan said he was unaware of the actions taken by the previous officials. "The matter has come to our attention. We will take action."
The decision on whether the pond will be freed from lease and opened for public use will be brought to the attention of higher authorities, the UNO added.
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