Local farmers affected by river dredging in Kapasia agricultural land
Kapasia (Gazipur) Correspondent :
Although the river has returned to navigability after dredging, the farmers of the agricultural land along the river are the worst affected. Hundreds of acres of agricultural land are lying uncultivated due to the dumping of dredging soil and sand on the banks of the Kapasia section of the Brahmaputra river in Gazipur. Rather, the local administration’s ban on moving soil for several years has made farmers unable to cultivate the land. Local farmers have appealed to the administration to remove soil from their farm land and get permission for cultivation on that land, but they are not getting any remedy.
Local residents said that about three years ago, Narsingdi Water Development Board started digging the Brahmaputra river in Gazipur’s Kapasia under the river dredging project. As a result of dredging, newness has returned to the river about ten kilometers from Ahalia of Tok union of upazila to Dhandia of Sanmania union, but the sand and soil raised by dredging has become a thorn in the throat of the people. The contractor has left the excavated sand and soil in piles on both sides of the Brahmaputra River. Although there was a promise to remove these sand and soil after the completion of the work or to spread them on those lands, it has not been given.
Md. Kashem Mia, the affected farmer of Char Sanmania area, said that due to the non-removal of soil and sand from the river, they are unable to cultivate. Local farmers of the same area, Akram Hossain, Monir Hossain and Md. Shahjahan Mia etc. said that the excavated soil and sand of the river has been kept high and low on their own farm land. Before this sand and soil was placed, rice and various crops were cultivated. As the soil cannot be removed due to the ban of the administration, no crop can be cultivated on those lands.
However, if the soil of these lands is removed and leveled, it will be possible to make it suitable for three crops.
He has sought the immediate intervention of the relevant higher authorities to remove soil and sand from these lands and take necessary measures for cultivation. Local UP Chairman Advocate Malek Bhuiya said that the land owners are suffering greatly for the last 3 years.
All these lands have not been acquired. So why should the farmers suffer for years. No one can remove sand and soil from this agricultural land only on the verbal instructions of the UNO. The administration claims that river sand is official, so they need permission to use it. Local UP member Mofazzal Hesen said that despite the removal of soil from the Manohardi section across the river, all obstacles are in the Kapasia section.
In this regard, UNO AKM Golam Morshed Khan said that soil and sand from the Brahmaputra River excavation have been kept on both banks. If the farmers are unable to harvest due to the heaving of the excavated soil, then necessary measures will be taken to remove these soils so that the farmers can harvest.
