35 rivers, canals in Mirzapur in threat of existence

Mirzapur (Tangail) Correspondent :

In Mirzapur of Tangail, the existence of 35 canals is unavailable due to illegal encroachment.

Illegal brick kilns, roads, arable land and various structures have been built on both sides of the 35 canals, including Palashtali and Bhulua canals, which were once beamed with the flow of water in Azgana and Latifpur unions in the hilly areas of the upazila.

It is now dying due to occupation and corruption.

As a result, thousands of people are in trouble due to the loss of navigability and the water stopped flowing. Municipal Mayor Salma Akhter and Upazila Executive Officer Hafizur said that all the canals in the area which have been encroached and damaged will be rescued and restored to navigability.

In this regard, communication is being made with the District Administrator, Ministry of Lands and higher authorities.

On Sunday (November 19), the office of Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Lands) informed that the important canal of Mirzapur Upazila Sadar is facing crisis and threat.

During the last 10/11 years, the two sides of this important canal have been occupied by mature houses. The influential Chihirt Mahal of the area is involved in this crime.

Municipal sewerage is under threat as the canal is found to be full.

Bhulua Canal is 7-8 km for water flow between the hilly region of Azgana and Latifpur Union which length and breadth were about 1000 to 150 feet.

There are 10-12 villages including Azgana, Beltail, Kuratali, Hatuvanga, Ghagrai, Chanpur and Latifpur on both sides of this canal. The same is the case with Palashtali-Kuripara canal.

As the two canals are deep, the water flows and the farmers of the area have been benefiting by using it in various ways including farming.

Over the past few years, the well-known influential quarters of the area have taken over the canal and built illegal brickyards on both sides, private roads for traffic and created arable land by filling it.

As a result, the canal is now dead and in crisis of existence as the water cannot flow.

Meanwhile, it has been found that there are no existence of these 35 canals in Mirzapur Municipality, Mahera, Jamurki, Fatepur, Banail, Anaitara, Warshi, Bhatagram, Bhaora, Bahuria, Gogai, Latifpur, Azgana, Tarafpur and Oil Union.

The land robbers of the area have day by day occupied both sides of these canals and built arable land, highways and settlements.

Notable canals include Mirzapur Municipality’s Bari Canal, Banshai Chhota River, Shubalya-Barati Canal, Jamurki-Guntia Canal, Mahera-Fatepur Canal, Chukuria-Banail Canal, Warshi-Nagarpara Canal, Deohata-Bahuria Canal, Bhaora-Bahuria Canal, Bhatgram- Residents complain that 35 canals including Ichail canal, Bahuria-Warshi canal, Gogai-Nazirpara-Sohagpara canal, Azgana-Palashtali canal, Latifpur-Tarafpur canal, Patharghata-Taktarchala canal, Pekua-Baliajan canal and no trace of them can be found due to encroachment. The people of the area are in dire situation due to loss of navigation.

At least 20-25 farmers including Abdul Hakim (56), Abul Hossain (55) and Sadek Ali (60) of Beloil area and Mazet Ali (35) of Jamurki Union complained that Palashtali and Bhulua are not empty, but most of the upazila is occupied on both sides of the canal.

Canals are of no use to us as water stops flowing due to brick kilns, roads, homesteads and arable land. The canal has now turned into a death trap. Do this for each channel.

They strongly demanded the administration to free and rescue the canals of the area from illegal occupation.

In this regard Warshi Union Parishad Chairman Md. Mahbub Alam Mallik Hurmahal said that it is very important to save canals in every area for water drainage.

He requested the administration to save the canal in every area including his union.

In this regard, the former chairman of Azgana Union Parishad and the former secretary of forest and environmental affairs of the upazila Awami League.

Rafiqul Islam Sikder said that an influential group in the area has occupied both sides of the Bhulua canal and built various structures including illegal brick kilns.

Occupying mountains, forests, canals, rivers and drains and constructing any illegal structure is a punishable offence.

He said that with the cooperation of the administration, various structures including illegal brick kilns will be vacated on both sides of the canal.