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River erosion takes serious turn in Khagrachhari

JASIM MAJUMDER, Khagrachhari
At least 20,000 people of 25 villages are living in fear of losing their homes as erosion of Chenghi, Feni and Mainee rivers has taken a serious turn in the hill district of Khagrachhari.
Some 35 educational and religious institutions on the riversides or nearby the rivers have also been facing serious threat due to erosion, district administration sources said.
They said many government structures including Chenghi Union Parishad, Guimara Union Parishad, Panchhari High School and College, Pujgungmuk High School, Kamalchhari Budda Bihar, Battali Government Primary School, Khagrachhari Model High School, Manikchhari College, Perachhara Bihar and Baradom High School are now under threat due to erosion of the rivers. Several thousand people were displaced as the river erosion engulfed their houses and land. The homeless people have taken shelter on high land as the administration could not arrange safer place for them.
Officials said over 1,000 people, including children, drowned and over 3,000 houses were washed away in these rivers in last 35 years. Some 17 people, including eight children, drowned and 50 houses were washed away during the floods in these areas last year, they said.
Ratan Tripura, 33, of Golabari village said his house is under threat due to river erosion. Some 15 houses of his neighbours were washed away due to strong current of Chenghi river last year, he said.
Ukkaching Chowdhury of Ganjapara said he lost his house and land due to river erosion last year. He sought government's support for his rehabilitation.
Amal Chakma of Baradom village under Dighinala upazila, said over 30 families and their lands are vulnerable to erosion of the river Mainee.
Chailaprue Marma, former chairman of Golabari union, called for immediate action from the authorities concerned to save his area from river erosion.
Khagrachhari Municipality Mayor Joynal Abedin said they are helping the victims of river erosion temporarily but the government fund is needed for their permanent settlement.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Mohammad Khalilur Rahman said the district administration in cooperation with upazila administration is providing all out assistance. But it is not possible to stop river erosion with this limited assistance, he said.
He said a project is needed to stop river erosion.
Executive Engineer of Khagrachhari Hill District Council (KHDC) Jiban Roaza said it is not under their jurisdiction to see the problem of river erosion rather the responsibility lies with the Water Development Board (WDB).
The KHDC Chairman Ruhity Karbari said it is impossible to know how many people are under threat of river erosion as the WDB officials never attend district level coordination monthly meeting.
He said they have sent a letter to the ministry concerned to set up its office in the district and investigate the erosion affected areas to take immediate project to save the hilly people.
While contacted Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachhari Mohammad Abdullah said they are working on the matter as it is an important issue that need to be addressed immediately.
"To protect people and properties from the erosion, a sustainable and integrated approach is necessary, and we have already wrote a letter to the higher authorities to look into the problem seriously and take necessary steps accordingly," he added.