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Save Chenghi from siltation

JASIM MAJUMDER, Khagrachhari
The Chenghi in the hill district of Khagrachhari has been drying up as siltation continues alarmingly, putting irrigation and fisheries projects at stake.
The river is the main source of water and fisheries for over three lakh people, including a large number of farmers. Locals said situation is worsening for lack of dredging of the river.
"The impact of the river's siltation and drying-up is manifold. Farmers are likely to be deprived of yielding sufficient crops this season as they are unable to go for cultivation for water crisis while fishes have already lost their safe habitat," environmentalists said.
They said the river had adequate flow throughout the year even few years ago but the scenario has changed recently as the water level of the river fell remarkably due to con-
tinuous silt Besides, the river have dried up at many points, they said.
Alongside water crisis, people of over 100 villages are facing acute shortage of fish while around 8,000 hectares of land remained uncultivated for which Boro harvest is feared to miss the target, sources at the Agriculture Extension Department (AED) said.
"Heavy silt as well as hill erosion is not only tin ing up (he Chenghi. the artery of Khagrachhari, but also endangering its entity -- slowly and steadily -- yet the administration stays far and does nothing to save the lifeline of the district," said Abu Daud Muhammad, network member of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers' Association.
Khagrachhari Paribesh Andolan Forum President Abu Taher Muhammad alleged rampant illegal collection of rocks from natural Chhara (small stream) and Jheeree (fountain), and continued
encroaching on water bodies attributed most to the silt.
“Over 8,000 hectares of land can be brought under cultivation if steps taken to dredge the river," Amzad Hossain, a sub assistant agriculture officer at Matiranga, said.
Executive Magistrate Abul Amin said they already have sent a proposal to the ministry concerned through the deputy commissioner to dredge the river.
Admitting the adverse impact of siltation, AED Deputy Director TM Monjurul Islam said its high time to start dredging the Chenghi river immediately.
Deputy Commissioner AKM Khairul Alam told The Daily Star that they were now waiting for a response about their proposal from the ministry concerned.
He said they have sent the proposal to dredge the river to protect the remote villages of Khagrachhari and its people.