Security in one of country’s most preferred tourist spots under threat
Chittagong: Mahamaya, the second largest man-made lake in the port city, is fast becoming prey to human greed and negligence. Thwarted by pollution and land-grabbers, it is slowly getting girdled by shanties that have robbed the lake of its pristine beauty.
Besides, heavy vehicles like trucks are damaging the roads leading to the lake, sources said.
The lake was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on December 30 last year. After seven months of its inauguration, the embankment is full of potholes due to lack of maintenance. Local goons, patronised by political leaders, are running a chain of slums in the lake area. This has put the security of visitors and tourists under threat. Sources said snatchers and criminals are active in the area as there is no security system in place. The absence of any secured parking place has increased the crime prospects of one of the most preferred tourist spots of the country.
Our Mirerswari Correspondent Mahabubur Rahman Polash visited the lake and spoke to local residents and tourists. They complained about the prevailing situation at the Mahamaya lake.
Aminul Islam, a visitor, said: “It is a beautiful lake. But there is nobody to take care of the safety of visitors. We are not safe in the lake area after sunset.”
Syama Akter, another visitor, said that women are not safe in the area. “Local goons stalk and tease them,” he added.
Project officer of Mahamaya lake, Ashraf Jamal, who is also a divisional engineer of the water development board, said there are still some problems about managing the lake. “We have received complaints regarding law and order. We have also come to know about slums in the lake area. We will talk to engineer Mosharaf Hossain and take steps to resolve the issues,” he added.
Sources said that after two long years the water development board had finished contruction of the Mahamaya lake and the Mahamaya Irrigation Project. The authorities informally opened the lake for tourists before Eid-Ul-Fitr last year.
The lake is situated in the hilly area of Thakur Digir Par in Mirerswari upazila in Chittagong on an eight sq km area.
Courtesy of The Independent
