Illegal encroachment surfaced over Bamnondanga canal
Nilphamari Correspondent :
Allegations of illegal encroachment have surfaced over the Bamnondanga Canal, the principal drainage channel of Nilphamari municipality, raising concerns among local residents about waterlogging and environmental hazards.
Locals allege that Md. Jahangir Alam Nantu, son of late Aijul Islam and a resident of Itakhola Darbesh Para area, has unlawfully occupied a portion of the municipality’s main canal and constructed structures for personal use.
Residents claim that the encroachment has significantly obstructed the natural flow of water, putting nearby homes and elevated lands at serious risk.
According to community members, during the monsoon and flood seasons, water fails to drain properly due to the blockage, resulting in recurring damage to houses almost every year.
They say the situation has caused immense hardship for families living in the surrounding areas.
?Local resident Rabiul Islam said, “I have seen this river since my childhood. There used to be a strong current, and fishermen regularly caught fish here. Now influential individuals have encroached on it. The administration’s inaction has led to this unfortunate situation.”
Another resident, Halim Mia, expressed concern over environmental degradation, stating, “The river has practically turned into a drain. People dump garbage here, and even municipal waste trucks dispose of waste into it. This poses a serious threat to the environment and public health.”
In response, Executive Engineer Atikur Rahman of the Bangladesh Water Development Board’s Nilphamari office said that the Bamnondanga River stretches approximately seven kilometers and eventually flows into the Chara River. However, he noted that the waterbody is currently not officially recorded as a river in government documents.
He added that the process of correcting the records is underway.
“The Water Development Board and the district administration are jointly working to include the river in the official records. Once it is properly recorded, steps will be taken to remove encroachments and address pollution,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nilphamari Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Nayiruzzaman stated that the matter is being treated with due importance. He assured that necessary legal action would be taken after verifying the allegations.
Local residents have strongly urged the authorities to conduct an on-site inspection and take immediate measures to remove encroachments and restore the canal’s natural water flow to prevent further damage and suffering.
