Topsoil cutting from cropland rampant in Sarail, authorities turn a blind eye

A group of unscrupulous people are illegally cutting the topsoil of cropland in Sarail upazila of Brahmanbaria district for brick kilns and other purposes posing a threat to crop production and environment.   

Though the matter was discussed several times in the monthly law and order meetings of the upazila administration, no actions have yet been taken in this regard.   

During a recent visit, this correspondent found that some people were cutting soil in 'Akashi Beel', a vast area of low-lying fertile cropland under the upazila, with excavators.   

Sources said, several syndicates are engaged in the illegal practice of cutting fertile topsoil of cropland in Shahbazpur, Shahjadapur, Noagaon, Kalikachchha areas of the upazila causing serious harm to the local environment and crop yield. The dishonest men sell the soil to different brick kilns, the sources further said.   

Local farmers have become helpless at the hands of powerful syndicates. They don't utter a single word though the yield of crops have drastically fallen due to the disappearance of fertile topsoil. They demand immediate stop of illegal soil cutting.   

Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Ekram Hossain said, "Permission must be taken to cut topsoil of cropland. Rampant cutting of soil will threaten the cropland. If urgent measures are not taken, the cropland will decline."   

Contacted, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Sarwar Uddin said, "I have got complaints against the syndicates of illegal cutting of soil. I have already sent a land officer to Akashi Beel under Kalikachchha union. Necessary actions will taken to stop such harmful practice."