Sand traders have been lifting sand for a long time and disregarding the effect of their actions on the environment. The authorities of the six upazilas of Gopalganj, meanwhile, have been blind to their actions.
Experts fear landslides and other disasters might occur due to the sand lifting.
Sribash Biswas Sridham, who lives in Sadar upazila’s Raghunathpur village, says: “Our village was low-lying but not anymore because all low-lying lands here have been raised due to the dredging up of sand and earth from the canals, bils, ponds and swamps over the past seven years.
“The low-lying lands at other villages are also being raised. So land owners are being able to get a good price when selling the developed land.”
Dredger owner Golok Biswas, who lives in Tungipara upazila’s Rakhilabari, says: “I dredge up sand with shallow machines, tube-wells, pipes and drums, all year round. I charge Tk2,000-25,000 for dredging up 1000 square feet of sand. It is quite profitable.”
He says he has never faced any obstacles from anyone while dredging up sand from rivers, canals, bils, swamps and ponds.
Professor Chitta Ranjan Talukder, who teaches geography and environment science at Haji Lal Mia City College in Gopalganj, says: “A lot of underground space is becoming void because of the mindless lifting of sand. This is disastrous for the environment.
“Underground lava may come up and cause disasters on the land, as its surface is also being eroded by the mindless sand lifting,” he adds, urging the authorities to stop such acts in the district.
Gopalganj Deputy Commissioner Md Khalilur Rahman says: “There is a law to conduct mobile courts to stop the random sand lifting. Steps are often taken against sand lifters by mobile courts. The assistant commissioner (land) and other relevant officers will also be informed about this.”
