A human chain was formed on Friday at Charbaria area in Barisal city, demanding immediate step to check erosion by the River Kirtankhola.
‘Amra Bachtey Chai’, an organisation of the erosion-affected people, organised the programme held on the river bank. Local union parishad chairman Ziaul Islam Sabu presided over the human chain addressed among others by Saiful Islam, Rafikul Islam.
The speakers said the Kirtankhola devoured 4-5 kilometre area stretching from Char Abdani to Hazirghat in the last two decades.
Part of the Charbaria Secondary School, Hazirghat Nurani Madrasa, huge agricultural land, different types of establishments and more than two hundred homesteads have already been washed away in this period as no step was taken to check the erosion, they alleged.
At least 40 other establishments including shops, houses and institutions are under severe threats.
The participants in the human chain said they would continue their programmes to press the authorities to take sustainable step for preventing the erosion by the river.
Shamima Ferdous, Sadar upazila nirbahi officer, and Shahidul Alam, deputy commissioner of Barisal, said they visited the erosion-affected spots.
They assured the affected people of providing help in their rehabilitation process and that they had contacted with the Water Development Board officials to take immediate step for checking erosion.
Zahiruddin, executive engineer of the Water Development Board, Barisal office, said he, after being informed of the matter, had sent officials to visit the spot.
The severe and speedy erosion every season at new spots are failing all protection attempts and eroding embankments, said executive engineer of Barisal WDB.
High pressure of the down stream river water makes situation the worse and implementation of a long-term sustainable river management policy is needed to control erosion, he observed.
-With New Age input
