River erosion in Babuganj and Ujirpur upazilas of Barishal has reached alarming levels, threatening agricultural land, rural infrastructure and the livelihoods of thousands living along the Sugandha and Sandha rivers.
In a formal appeal to the Ministry of Water Resources, Member of Parliament for Barishal-2 constituency Sardar Sarfuddin Ahmed urged the government to expedite the approval and implementation of a long-pending riverbank protection project.
The appeal highlights severe losses of farmland and agricultural production, along with growing risks to connectivity and local economic activities.
According to the letter, nearly 6,805 hectares of fertile land are lost to erosion each year in the affected areas. The erosion also causes an estimated annual loss of 862 metric tons of paddy, raising concerns over local and national food security.
“The situation has become extremely critical. Every year, rivers are swallowing vast areas of cultivable land, leaving farmers helpless,” the MP said in the letter.
Residents of Ujirpur upazila live in constant fear, especially during the monsoon, as riverbanks collapse unpredictably. Many families stay awake at night monitoring water levels, worried about losing their homes, land and livestock.
Dr Enayet Karim, president of Barishal Zila Samity, said river erosion has become a persistent threat to local communities. During the rainy season, families remain anxious as their houses and fields could disappear into the river at any time, he added.
The ongoing erosion has also damaged roads, bridges, culverts and power lines, disrupting communication and forcing repeated government spending on repairs without permanent solutions.
The letter also points to the economic importance of the affected areas. Satla union is known for its red lotus fields, attracting domestic tourists, while Harta union serves as a major fish market supplying different parts of the country. Agriculture, fisheries and tourism together form the backbone of local livelihoods.
However, a key road connecting five unions runs close to the erosion-prone riverbanks. Officials fear that continued erosion could destroy the road, cutting off transport links and affecting tourism.
“If the road is lost, communication for five unions will be severed and a major tourist attraction will be affected,” the letter warned.
According to official information, the proposed river protection project has already undergone a verification meeting at the Ministry of Water Resources and is listed under the revised Annual Development Programme for FY2025-26.
The MP called on the Planning Ministry and the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council to prioritise approval of the project, stressing that immediate action is needed to protect lives, livelihoods and infrastructure.
Local representatives and residents have also urged the government to treat the issue as a national priority, warning that delays could lead to irreversible economic losses.
Experts say the situation reflects a broader pattern of worsening river erosion across Bangladesh, particularly in coastal and riverine districts, driven by climate change, unregulated river flow and weak embankment systems.