Topsoil from croplands is being collected through excavators in Sirajdikhan upazila of Munshiganj district. -AA
Several hundred bighas of cultivable land in Sirajdikhan upazila of Munshiganj district loses fertility as brick kilns are collecting huge quantities of earth from the topsoil of agricultural lands for making bricks.During a ground visit, it has been observed that topsoil from croplands is indiscriminately being collected in various places of Latabdi and Shekharnagar unions of the upazila.
For the last one month, soil has been cut from at least 10 to 15 places from 8 pm to midnight. There are about 55 brick kilns in the upazila. Soil has been taken from agricultural land for a long time to meet the demand for soil in these brick kilns. Soil traders buy land from farmers for Tk 10,000 to 15,000 per katha of land.
Mizanur Rahman Sarkar Mizan, an expatriate from France, said, "I live in abroad but I have land here. The soil of my land is being forcibly collected. I lodged a written complaint with Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Sirajdikhan Police Station but they didn't take any legal actions against land grabbers."
"I am seeking an immediate move from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as well as Land Minsiter to bring these land grabbers to book", he said. A local farmer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said traders were encouraging them to sell their lands. Regarding the allegations, traders said, "Farmers sell the barren lands to us. We used to sell the topsoil of the land to brick kilns.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Rozina Akhter told this correspondent that due to the digging and selling the soil, the croplands are losing its fertility. When topsoil is cut off, there is no life left on the lands. Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Faizul Islam said, "The issue was discussed at the last agriculture meeting. The upazila agriculture officer has been instructed to make the farmers aware about the bad impacts of selling of topsoil of their lands." "Legal actions will be taken against anyone who disobeys the instructions", the UNO warned.
---Lata Mondal in Sirajdikhan, Munshiganj
Latest News