United News of Bangladesh

Fertile farmlands of ‘Gaillar Haor’ in Shantiganj upazila of Sunamganj district has been facing severe degradation as an influential syndicate continues large-scale illegal extraction of topsoil, posing a serious threat to local agriculture and rural infrastructure. The upper fertile layer of cropland, commonly known as topsoil, in Alampur village under Purba Pagla Union, is being indiscriminately removed using excavators, according to local people. The soil is reportedly being used to fill private homesteads and roads, while the ongoing operation has disrupted both agricultural productivity and daily life. During a recent visit to the area, this UNB correspondent observed multiple excavators digging deep pits across vast stretches of cropland. Read more: Unchecked soil lifting threatens Gomti River, infrastructures in Cumilla The extraction continued day and night, with rows of heavy dump trucks transporting the soil to different locations. The constant movement of trucks has damaged newly built rural roads, intensifying public suffering. Local people alleged that the illegal activity is being carried out under the direct leadership of influential former local representatives Saidul Islam and Kalam Mia. Farmers affected by the soil removal expressed deep concern and said they feared retaliation if they protested openly. Several farmers, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the removal of topsoil, the most fertile portion of farmland, has permanently destroyed soil productivity. They warned that deep excavation has also increased the risk of adjacent farmlands collapsing. If the haor is carved up like this, there will be no land left for cultivation in the future, said Jamaluddin, a farmer. They demanded immediate and strict intervention from the administration. Under the Soil and Sand Management Act, 2010, extracting soil from agricultural land for commercial or personal use is a punishable offence. Locals, however, alleged that the syndicate continues its activities by evading administrative oversight or using political influence. Beyond agricultural damage, the operation has also caused severe deterioration of rural roads. Read more: Overuse of chemical fertilisers threatens soil health in northern Bangladesh Heavy trucks carrying soil have led to road collapses, making daily movement increasingly difficult for villagers. When contacted, Fatema Tuz-Zohra, Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Shantiganj upazila, said the administration is aware of the issue. “Cutting topsoil from cropland is completely illegal. We have received information about soil extraction in Alampur village. A mobile court will be conducted there soon,” she assured. Those who were involved in the act would not be spared and legal action will be taken, including the seizure of machinery used in the illegal activity, she said. Meanwhile, experts from civil society urged for exemplary punishment, including imprisonment and confiscation of excavators, to protect the haor’s fragile ecosystem. Read more: BIWTA dredging restores navigability of Sunamganj rivers; boosts trade, employment They also feared that if the government did not take immediate action, Shantiganj’s agricultural economy and ecological balance could suffer irreversible damage.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday (February 13, 2024) put emphasis on the rural development along with building infrastructure. “I think besides the infrastructural development we also need the overall development of the rural areas,” she told the ECNEC meeting at NEC conference room in Agargaon. She asked authorities concerned to quickly finish the development projects which are being delayed due to allocation of small funds. “I will ask the cabinet secretary to convey this to all secretaries in different ministries so such projects are completed quickly,” she said. Read: Ecnec nods 44 projects worth Tk 39,094 crore She said with the finishing these projects it would be easy for the government to take up new development programmes. She also said that deadline of some development projects have been increased, but hose also have to be completed very soon. “Because, if that remains unfinished costs of the projects will increase unnecessarily and it also kills time. Make sure that this is done,” she said. Hasina said that for the socioeconomic development of the country the government must take development projects. In this regard, she asked all to remain cautious while taking any kind of development projects so that the government could attain its goal. Read: Ecnec approves 19 projects to cost Tk 18,067 crore She mentioned that due to global condition the countryis having some pressure on economy. Otherwise the country was moving fast towards prosperity. “The growth was increasing, development was expediting, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic the whole world came to a standstill, and when the whole world started to move from that situation, it was hit by the Ukraine-Russia war followed by sanctions, counter-sanctions,” she said. She also mentioned that the world is bracing for another phase of instability after Israeli troops launched heinous attacks on the innocent people in Palestine. “As a result, the cost and time of transportation has increased manifold," she said. She said that due to these external factors the pressure is on in Bangladesh. Read more: Ecnec nods setting up 50 technical training centres The prime minister said she has requested all to utilise every inch of arable land of the country for production of food grains. “And it has given us better results,” she said.

It’s called a canal. But during the monsoon Gowali canal swells like a rivulet with a strong current. For the villagers the only way to cross it is offered by a Shako, a makeshift bridge made of bamboo poles. “Children and old people fear for their lives while crossing the canal by the Sakho,” said 65-year-old Bashar Ali of Ramdhana Shekhargaon Paschimpara area under Alangkari Union of Sylhet’s Bishwanath upazila. A good number of locals cross the canal by this single Sakho every day to go to work and conduct usual business, he said. Read: Mymensingh to get a modern bridge over Brahmaputra There are still some people who would cross the canal on rafts rather than risk their life by using the Sakho, according to locals. Cattle are made to swim through the canal. The people of this area have been suffering for over 30 years for the absence of a bridge over Gowali canal. Locals gathered to voice their frustration when this correspondent visited the area recenty. Read The terrible road preventing an area's residents from getting married They escorted the reporter to the canal over which the 45-feet long and 5-feet wide Sakho has been built recently. It stands between Shekhargaon Pashim Para and Alankari Primary School road. Thick mud was spotted on both ends of the Sakho which makes movement even more difficult. Though a majority of the local people blamed the administration and people’s representatives of the area for not building a proper bridge, some pointed to local rivalry as the cause. Read: Padma Bridge: Installation of all roadway slabs completed Local Union Parishad chairman Nazmul Islam Ruhel claimed that government allotted funds twice to build a bridge. But the funds returned unused due to objection by some villagers who feared it may take over their land. Others, however, disagreed with the chairman. They said politicians make promises to build the bridge only when election comes. Post-election they forget their promises. Ruling parties have changed, MPs came and went by but the bamboo bridge remained the same, they said. Read Wooden bridge over River Chawai, the only resort for 10,000 people, breaks down The villagers have to often repair Sakho with their own money to avoid accidents. Besides, the bamboos need to be changed twice a year for which locals pay money and work voluntarily.   Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sumon Chandra Das said the administration is aware of the people’s sufferings for lack of the bridge. Necessary steps would be taken, he said. Read  Solar posts will soon light up hilly roads in Moulvibazar, says minister

Italy has expressed interest in investing 200 million Euros in Bangladesh for development of rural infrastructure, transportation system, drinkable water and drainage system.   Italian Envoy to Bangladesh Enrico Nunziata expressed the interest on Sunday during a meeting with Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul Islam. Tajul urged the Italian government to assist in implementing the ‘My Village My Town’ ideology of Bangladesh government which aims to take all the amenities of towns to remote villages. He thanked Italy’s envoy for showing interest in investing in these sectors. He emphasized on enhancing bilateral and economic ties between the two countries and expressed hope it will reach new dimensions and be strengthened in future. Enrico Nunziata lauded Bangladesh as a country with immense possibilities.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to take measures for not providing house rent allowance to government employees if they don’t stay at the government quarters earmarked for them.

The government plans to add some 5,550 kilometres to the rural roads network, alongside 31,000 metres of bridges/culvert extensions that help to make the roads more accessible while at the same time taking them into the heart of communities.