Illegal sand extraction from Teesta River, agricultural land is disappearing

In Kaliganj, Lalmonirhat, due to illegal sand and soil extraction from cropland along the banks of Teesta River for a long time, several acres of cropland in the Bairati Char area adjacent to Munshir Bazar in Tushbhandar Union of Kaliganj Upazila is disappearing into the river.

In addition, houses in the government shelter project are under threat. Several homes in the area are on the verge of disappearing into the river.

On the spot, it was learned that a syndicate called Bulu has been illegally extracting sand and soil from cropland for a long time.

Residents and locals living in the shelter project are in fear that the entire Bairati village on the banks of Teesta River, including the government shelter project, which is a few hundred yards away from the river, will disappear into the river.

Ripon Mia, a resident of Kashiram and Bairati Char, said, "Due to the erosion of the Teesta River, my house has been submerged in the Teesta River three times. This time, I have got a house in the government shelter project. But the way sand is being extracted from the river, there is a possibility that the house in the shelter project will collapse.

A local syndicate called Bulu is illegally extracting sand and soil.

Peyara Begum said, "We are in extreme danger because of the way an influential group is illegally extracting sand. If sand extraction is not stopped quickly, it will not be possible to protect the houses and cropland." The affected residents of Bairati Char have demanded that the Upazila Executive Officer protect their cultivated land.

When asked about illegal sand extraction, the Kaliganj Upazila Executive Officer said that necessary measures will be taken to stop illegal sand extraction.