The unscrupulous people are constructing establishments including multi-storied buildings on the river banks and beds of once mighty Chitra River. It has become a direct threat to the water flow leading the river dried within a few years.
Local people said that the unscrupulous people had also transplanted saplings in the river that have grown up in past few years. The saplings turned to matured and hiding the river with their branches and leafs. They have also set up business establishments on the river banks. A number of religious establishments were also set up there.
The river was so mighty where the launch and steamer service was available a couple of years back.
During a visit it was found that about five kilometer river beds between Chanchra and Salikha was grabbed where ponds were dug for fish farming. They also set up nursery on the river beds. Not only that religious institutions were also established on the river beds illegally.
Mukter Hossain had constructed a poultry firm in the river bed at the west side of Shibnagar village. Markets were established on both sides of the old bridge in the river bed. Many buildings were also constructed on east side of the Chitra. Some dishonest people have been claiming the land making fraud documents in favour of them, locals alleged.
Hindu religious establishments had occupied a portion of the river. A large size pond was dug at near the upazia health complex at Helai village. Huge trees were grown there proving it was a private land. According to the villagers, an Eidgah was constructed occupying the land River Chitra at Nishchintapur village.
The river has been turning to a minor canal as each and everybody including the businessmen have been dumping garbage in the river.
River bed occupier Mukter Hossain said that he had constructed the house which was approved by local administration verbally. Another occupier Tarikul Islam of Nishchintapur area said there is some land for their own on the river bank. Executive engineer of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) in Jhenidah Sarwar Zahan Sujan said they could not provide exact figure of the occupied area right now. They have prepared the list of the river grabbers and area under their occupation throughout the district to submit the same to the higher authorities.
The list found that there are eight ponds in Chitra River at Singdah village in Kaliganj upazila dug by eight influential persons.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Kaliganj Subarna Ranis Saha said the river grabbing and other illegal occupation by the unscrupulous people might be resisted by the aware local people. The local administration will take legal steps against the occupiers as early as possible, UNO said.
