Soil cutting threatens Badaghat environment

Sylhet Bureau :

Season of brick making has started early this year. Meanwhile, soil has been ended at the many brick kilns. Nobody is giving attention as many people taking soil from cropland to brick kilns. Many are using excavator machine to take soil from crop lands.
According to Agriculture Department, the croplands are missing its fertility as top level soil is taking away, as a result we have to face food scarcity.
On Sunday afternoon, it was seen that an influential group in Hatkhola Union under Sadar Upazila is transporting the soil of various crop fields of Sotoro village adjacent to Marine Academy with tractors to fill bricks and structures in various areas including Sonatala. In several places along the Singai river, the soil is being transported by tractors in different groups.
While cutting the topsoil of the cropland, Mahendra tractors move over an area of about half a kilometer causing damage to other lands. Apart from this, dust is everywhere. Residents said that the residents are suffering from breathing problems.
A local resident, who did not wish to be named, said that with the help of influential circles in the area, the soil of the crop land bought from the farmers was cut and made into a pond every day by means of a veku machine. It disrupts crop production and the land loses its fertility.
Many people have complained that the road is being forcibly built on their land and soil is being taken in Mahendra. This business is being done by showing power and harming them. The police pretend not to see. They said that the local land owners are selling the soil of their crop land thinking that the government will acquire the land in this area at any time.
However, according to the law, the category of crop land cannot be changed in any way. If a person cuts soil in violation of this law, the guilty is punished with rigorous imprisonment for three years or a fine of three lakh taka.
However, in violation of the law, crop land is being cut openly. Yet the authorities are silent, as if no one is watching.
Moreover, cropsland are losing its fertility and biodervisity. In the rainy season, ropa aman and Irri-boro paddy has been cultivated throughout the year. Various tasty fishes have been found in the low lying water area. Fishermen live on fishing in this area. However, environment is going to destroy for the aggressive mentality of the owner of brick kilns.
AC Land of Sadar Md Somrat Hossain said we didn’t get any complaints of cutting crops land. If we get particular complaints, we will take necessary action.
Talking about this matter, Director of Sylhet Environment Directorate Mohammad Amran Hossain said that there is no opportunity to cut soil from crop land without permission. If complaints are received, action will be taken against those involved.