The relentless excavation of agricultural land to sell soil to brick kilns in Daulatpur Upazila of Kushtia has continued unabated, posing a severe threat to the region's agriculture.
Recent reports from local and national media outlets highlight a concerning increase in incidents where extensive stretches of land, including government canals and crop fields, are being excavated and sold to brick kilns, causing growing concern for the upazila administration.
Mobile courts were promptly convened to address the issue of illegal land excavation, resulting in the apprehension of several offenders who were subsequently sentenced to varying jail terms. Despite these efforts, the criminal activity persists, with five individuals sent to jail in the last two days alone.
The largest soil excavation operation in the upazila is currently underway in the heart of the Ariya crop fields. Illegally constructed mud roads facilitate the transportation of soil extracted through the unauthorized use of VECU machines, plows, and drum trucks. This ongoing operation has been active day and night for over a month, intensifying in recent days as soil extraction now takes place from evening to morning.
Reports suggest that a staggering two hundred carts of soil are removed from the Ariya fields daily, destined for various brick kilns. VECU machines are brazenly kept in open fields.
The illegal land cutting and selling are not confined to Ariya fields, as reports indicate similar activities in various areas across Daulatpur upazila. Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Shahidul Islam emphasized the legal prohibitions in place, citing the Balu Mahal and Soil Management Act that strictly forbids topsoil or surface cutting. This criminal activity is actively being addressed at the field level, and Assistant Commissioner Shahidul Islam issued a stern warning that the operation will persist.
It is noteworthy that Daulatpur's expansive agricultural land, surpassing that of other upazilas, faces continuous threats as it becomes a prime target for illegal excavation.
The extracted soil is consistently sold to brick kilns within Daulatpur and surrounding areas, endangering the region's agricultural landscape.
The situation has prompted concerns among agricultural experts and environmentalists, who stress the urgent need for strict enforcement of laws and heightened vigilance to curb the rampant illegal pond digging. Failure to address this issue promptly could lead to irreversible damage to the agricultural ecosystem, jeopardizing the livelihoods of local farmers and the overall food security of the region.
