Sluice gate, flood control dam is in threat as sand being extracted in Fulchhari

Underground sand is being extracted by dredger machine in Bangapara sluice gate area of Nilkuthi-Katlamari flood control dam of Gazaria Union of Fulchari Upazila in the district.

Due to sand extraction the arable land of the area including flood control dam, sluice gate is under threat and this place may collapse any time due to the extraction of excessive sand. Not only that hundreds of houses in that area are also under serious threat.

On investigation, it is known that the sand is being extracted from a canal adjacent to Bangapara sluice gate of Neelkuthi-Katlamari flood control dam with dredger machines throughout the day.

A pond about 1500 feet away is being filled with the sand of the canal and is being sold to the buyers. Residents of the area have alleged that one Ruhul Amin, son of the deceased Charu Mia of neighboring Bhangamore village, has been forcibly lifting sand for a long time making the locals more worried about the damage of the environment.

Locals fear that all the land around the canal may collapse due to sand extraction from the canal. If the sand extraction continues like this, there is a possibility of breaking down the sluice gate along with the flood control dam.

Ruhul Amin, an influential man continued to extract sand violating the law despite making verbal complaints to various departments.

When contacted sand extractor Ruhul Amin said that the land from which the sand is being extracted is his own land. He is filling the pond with sand from his own land.

Gazaria Union Parishad Chairman Md. Khorshed Ali Khan said that boring dredgers are very harmful to the environment. As a result of lifting the sand by creating a vacuum through the sand machine, there is a void under the soil. There will be a risk of major burnout.

The dredger machines that are being used for sand extraction are destructive to the environment in different areas of the upazila, he also said.  To protect the environment, the administration should stop these dredgers immediately, he added.

Assistant Commissioner (AC) Land of Fulchari UpazilaTanjilaTasnim said, “I do not know anything about this. Legal action will be taken against illegal dredger owners and sand lifters after investigation”.