Illegal Soil Extraction in Nikli Threatens Agricultural Land and Environment

Illegal extraction of fertile topsoil from agricultural land has become widespread in Nikli upazila, a remote haor region of Kishoreganj, following the withdrawal of monsoon water. The illegal soil trade has reportedly continued for years, dating back to the previous Awami League government, despite the authorities’ presence.

Several farmers from Chettra village in Gurui Union spoke about the issue on condition of anonymity. They said topsoil was being excavated every year from Baiddhar Kanda in Chettra using excavators and transported to two brick kilns in Podda.

Asked how brick kiln owners obtained soil from agricultural land, the farmers said the owners purchased soil from landowners and then used excavators to remove it from depths of five to six feet. This unplanned excavation is damaging neighbouring agricultural plots.

They said the removal of soil causes the boundaries between fields to collapse. During the Boro season, irrigation water cannot remain in the fields as it drains into the deep pits created by excavation. The farmers claimed that although they had informed the upazila administration, no effective action had been taken.

According to local farmers, the illegal extraction is seriously threatening the future fertility and productivity of agricultural land. The movement of heavily loaded soil-carrying trucks is also damaging the haor’s submersible roads, which were built at a cost of crores of taka. As the trucks carry soil without covering their loads, soil spills across the roads. Even light rain makes the roads difficult for ordinary vehicles to use.

Pedestrians in Kursha village said the movement of soil-laden trucks creates thick clouds of dust, making visibility difficult. Schoolchildren are among the worst affected. Students travelling daily from Podda to Nikli to attend schools, colleges and madrasas are exposed to dust along the roads.

Shika, a Class Nine student of Shaheed Swarnika Girls’ High School in Kursha village, said, “When we travel to and from school, dust from the trucks blows onto us and damages our clothes.” She also said the soil extraction was continuing in the same way as it had during the Awami League government.

Local residents and drivers of auto-rickshaws and CNG-powered vehicles alleged that several influential brick kiln owners were behind the illegal activities. They said villagers were afraid to speak out against them. During a field visit to Kursha and Hilochia haor in Gurui Union on Thursday afternoon, October 29, more than a dozen excavators were seen removing topsoil from the haor in an uncontrolled manner. The activities were taking place on the eastern side of the road, seriously damaging the natural landscape, environment and biodiversity of the haor.

The continued extraction could disrupt future agricultural production and negatively affect the livelihoods of people who depend on water resources in the region. At the same time, the movement of overloaded soil-carrying trucks is causing several sections of the submersible road to sink and collapse.

If the road is damaged, thousands of local residents will face severe difficulties. During the month of Baishakh, farmers transport thousands of maunds of harvested paddy to their homes using this road. Local residents and concerned citizens believe that an on-site investigation would reveal the extent of illegal soil extraction and the damage it has caused. They have called for an immediate inspection, a halt to the illegal removal and transportation of topsoil, and legal action against those involved.

The issue was also discussed at the upazila law and order committee meeting held on Thursday. At the meeting, Nikli Upazila BNP General Secretary Atikul Islam Talukdar Helim said, “I have personally witnessed around 50 trucks carrying soil from Gurui haor.”

He questioned how and under whose authorisation the soil was being extracted on such a large scale and called for administrative intervention. Contacted by phone, Nikli Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shamim Ara said, “Action will be taken against illegal soil extraction.”