Man fined Tk 1 lakh for illegal soil extraction from Haora riverbank

A man has been fined Tk 1 lakh in Akhaura upazila of Brahmanbaria for illegally cutting and selling soil from the banks of the Haora rver.

The fine was imposed by a mobile court led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md Faysal Uddin this afternoon, following allegations that soil was being excavated from government-owned land and transported for use in filling ponds, ditches, canals, and croplands across various areas of the upazila.

Speaking to The Daily Star, Faysal said the administration took notice after a report by The Daily Star titled, "Illegal soil extraction threatens Haora riverbank", highlighted the issue.

"Upon visiting the site, we found evidence of illegal soil extraction, and action was taken against Jahir Mia under the Balumahal and Soil Management Act," he said.

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Illegal soil extraction threatens Haora riverbank

Officials from the Mugra Union Land Office, including acting assistant land officer Abdur Rahman Arif, assisted during the mobile court operation.

The earlier report had said that a local syndicate was allegedly extracting soil illegally from the riverbank and adjacent land in Adampur area of Mugra union round the clock.

The syndicate reportedly comprised of several influential locals, including Shahid from Khalapara village and Jahir from Aowrarchar village.

Last monsoon, the river protection embankment collapsed in three sections, each spanning around 40 to 50 feet, during flooding caused by heavy rainfall and an onrush of upstream water from India.

As a result, 36 villages in the upazila were severely flooded. At least eight portions of roads were washed away, and a bailey bridge -- the only access route to Akhaura Land Port -- was destroyed by strong currents.