As the water level in Brahmaputra River decreases, severe river erosion is taking place in Ulipur upazila of Kurigram. Over the past month, devastating erosion has affected nearly two and a half kilometers area from Habiganj to Kheyarchar area in Shahabiaralga Union, leaving people homeless and destitute as they lose their land and homes.
The erosion has swept away a flood shelter, 900 bighas of farmland, and nearly 300 residential houses. These families have lost everything along with their house and became destitute.
Moreover, several important institutions are at risk, including the Namazer Char Police Investigation Center, Namazer Char College, Gendar Alga School and College, Shahabiralga Government Primary School, Katlamari Government Primary School, Guchhagram Government Primary School, Uttar Namazer Char Community Clinic, Uttar Namazer Char Nurani and Hafizia Madrasas, Uttar Namazer Char Central Jam-e Mosque, as well as paved roads in the area.
There are complaints that, despite repeated assurances from the Water Development Board officials to prevent river erosion, no action has been taken.
Left with no options, thousands of students and local residents from Shahibaralga, Habiganj, Uttar Namajer Char, as well as other areas, formed a human chain on Sunday afternoon in front of Shahibaralga Government High School located along the banks of the Brahmaputra River under the banner "Stop River Erosion, Save Shahibaralga," that lasted for several hours. Shahibaralga Union Parishad Chairman Mozaffar Hossain, lecturer Rafiqul Islam, assistant teachers Shahidul Islam, Fazlul Haque, students Irika Khatun, Beauty Khatun and others spoke at that time.
Irika Khatun, student of sixth grade in Gendar Alga School and College, said a large number of people used to live in our area. Everyone lost their home because of river erosion. The river erosion is still ongoing and we still do not where we will go. Our school is under threat as well due to river erosion and we do not know where we will study if our school collapses. So we formed a human chain to demand a solution for the river erosion. Many people are losing their crops here. They are poor people. They produce their crops with hard work. Due to river erosion, they are facing great losses.
Beauty Khatun, a student, said the water level in the river is decreasing, but the erosion is not lessening. Arable land and homes are being washed away. The people here are living in great hardship.
Local UP chairman Mozaffar Hossain said I have informed the Water Development Board and various relevant officials about the erosion of the Brahmaputra River. However, despite their assurances to take action against the erosion, no work has started. On behalf of the local residents, I strongly demand a permanent solution to the erosion problem.
Executive Engineer of Kurigram Water Development Board Rakibul Islam said there is currently no allocation for temporary measures to prevent erosion. However, a note was sent for the erosion-affected area, and work will commence once the allocation is received.
Ulipur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Ataur Rahman said effective measures will be taken to save the educational institutions after speaking with the Water Development Board.
