Unregulated sand extraction from the Karatoa threatens riverbanks, farmland, roads and infrastructure.

People have accused sand traders of setting up dredger machines at several points of the Karatoa River in Pirganj, Rangpur, and lifting sand freely. For years, traders have taken sand from the river without any plan. This has put riverbank erosion, homes, farmland, roads and other structures at risk. Fear has spread among the people who live along the riverbank.

People say local leaders and activists of the ruling party and other influential persons are involved in the illegal sand trade. For this reason, many people do not dare to protest. The administration sometimes runs drives, but the sand lifting does not stop. Locals also say some traders keep lifting sand at various places even after the Ministry of Land issued its directives. This has raised questions about the role of the administration.

A visit to the Karatoa River area on Tuesday (10 November) showed sand being lifted from many points. In Tukuria Union of the upazila, Mr. Aminul Islam works at Dudhia Bari and Mr. Sajjad Mia works in the Vitapara area. Mr. Saiful Member and Mr. Mizanur Rahman of Nawabganj Upazila run three points at the Karatoa ghat beside the Jayantipur bridge, which is under construction. In Ramnathpur Union, Mr. Emdadul works in the Baspukuria area, and Mr. Masud Mia works close to the same spot. Mr. Harun Member runs Shalpara Ghat. Sand is also being lifted at Banur Ghat in Dharmadaspur and at Hosenpur Kulanandapur Ghat in Chatra Union. Locals said workers use dredger machines at all these points.

Residents said sand has been lifted from many parts of the Karatoa River without any plan for a long time. As a result, the river’s natural course and the soil along its banks are getting weak. Erosion has started in some places. The risk of damage to homes, farmland and village roads is growing. Important structures such as schools, bridges and embankments are also at risk.

Locals said traders pile the sand they take from the river beside farmland and roads. Later, they carry it away day and night by tractors and dump trucks. People living nearby are fed up with the reckless driving of sand carrying vehicles, the loud noise and the dust. Students, passersby and ordinary people suffer every day.

Local public representatives said the administration sometimes runs drives at illegal sand lifting points. Mobile courts have also taken action against a few sand carrying vehicles. But the sand lifting does not stop even after these drives. People say the traders start work again as before once a drive ends.

Residents demand that the authorities act against more than the sand carrying vehicles. They want the administration to find the main source of the illegal sand lifting and the people involved, and to take legal action against them. If not, they warn that villages along the Karatoa, farmland and important structures will face greater harm.

Residents have therefore asked the administration and the relevant law enforcement agencies to step in urgently. They want all illegal sand lifting points on the Karatoa River closed, the dredger machines seized, and legal action taken against those involved.