The dam at the mouth of Hidairkhal River is bringing negative impact on the flow of water into the Sari River. In near future, it will bring negative impact on the water flow of other rivers in entire Sylhet region if the dam is not demolished immediately.
Water experts and green activists said Hidairkhal is not any small hilly fountain or any man-made canal, it is a lively mighty river flowing through the region from the time immemorial. This river is the only source of water for numerous canals and water bodies of the locality. Building a dam on its mouth for the communication benefit of only several hundred people, ignoring the plight of thousands of people of at least three upazilas of the district, is a grave crime.
The green activists came up with the apprehension on Friday (June 21) at a protest programme. Marking the World Environment Day, they formed a human chain on the dam demanding to demolish it without delay.
Mentionable, only a year ago, in 2018, people of some villages of Alirgaon union under Gowainghat upazila in Sylhet have built the dam on the mouth of Hidairkhal, a major tributary of Sari River, flowing through Sylhet, only to travel to nearby Monjiltola Bazaar.
Observing that the controversial dam, Speakers at the human chain called upon the authorities concerned to demolish it warning that it would adversely affect the biodiversity, environment and human habitation of the entire Sylhet region.
Abdul Hye Al-Hadi, president of Sari Nodi Bachao Andolan, presided over the human chain, while local people, journalists and green activists expressed solidarity with the programme and spoke there. Among them, Ehsanul Haque Jasim of Daily Bangladesh Post, former president of Jaintapur Press Club Foyez Ahmed, workers’ leader Golam Mostafa, local journalist Sohel Ahmed, Jahidul Islam Shimul, member of Monjiltola Bazaar Committee Altaf Uddin, Azmal Ali, Joyen Uddin, Rubel Ahmed and Badshah Mia.
Abdul Hye Al-Hadi said that Hidairkhalmukh dam has already been turned into a death trap. River erosion in the Sari has turned violent for it.
“We apprehend that it will bring a major disaster for the people of Gowainghat, Jaintapur and Kanaighat upazilas in Sylhet if the dam is not demolished. The natural resources and tourism spots of northern part of Sylhet will also be affected due to the dam,” he added.
He demanded immediate step to demolish the dam. Otherwise, the green activists will forge a tougher movement, he said.
Talking to the Bangladesh Post, some local people said that some local influential had taken the step of construction the dam to achieve their own interest. Even many people of Monjiltola Bazaar area are against the dam, but they are keeping silence due to fear of the local influential.
