Hill-cutting spree in Tangail
Tangail's red-clay hillocks are being razed indiscriminately, creating an imbalance in the ecosystem and destroying biodiversity in the region.
Local influential people, especially earth traders, have been destroying the hillocks bit by bit in broad daylight while the authorities concerned kept turning a blind eye, alleged locals.
Earth traders backed by a section of local politicians, have been cutting down hillocks and selling the earth to brick kilns. The earth cut from the hillocks is also being used for filling up low/wet land, said local sources.
The earth traders carry the earth by trucks, especially at night, damaging rural roads and creating nuisance for local residents, they added.
Earlier, the natural Shalforests covered the hillocks at Ghatail, Sakhipur, Mirzapur and Madhupur upazila in Tangail. But now, a large portion of the wildlife and trees have disappeared due to illegal activities.
Goutam Chandra Chanda, divisional coordinator of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela), said hillocks are unique geological features of Bangladesh and an enormous number of small and medium-sized hillocks are common in the midlands of Tangail and Gazipur districts.
"The hillocks cutting goes on so indiscriminately that its contributing to potential risks of landslides. The authorities concerned haven't been active to save them either," he added.
On the other hand, the recent study by the Department of Environmental Science and Resource Management (ESRM) of Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University in Tangail, found that the hillocks are undergoing a transformation due to urban sprawl.
In Ghatail, people are cutting the red clay hills with excuses of digging a pond and building houses.
Previously, the hillocks in Deopara, Tegurichala, Ghoramara, Jharka and Baroipara areas were flattened in the same way, sources informed.
Locals alleged that the earth traders were cutting and selling earth from Thursday to Saturday in clique with a section of dishonest officials of the land office.
Asked about the matter, Ghatail UNO Munia Chowdhury said the matter of hill cutting was discussed in the law and order meetings previously.
"Mobile court drives were conducted against hill cutting previously and it will continue," she said.
During a recent visit, it was seen that earth traders were cutting hillocks with excavator in Berbari area of Jadabpur union in Sakhipur upazila defying laws and taking away truckload of earth.
Earlier, most of the hillocks in Sapiarchala, Bagerbari, Indarjani (Gorbari), Boheratoil, Arangchala, Amtoil, Amgachhchala and Gilachala areas in Tangail faced the same fate, sources said.
The red-clay hillocks of nearby Madhupur, Mirzapur and Kalihati upazilas are also under threat.
Several earth traders involved with hill cutting claimed that they were cutting earth after "managing" different quarters.
They also claimed that the hillocks they were cutting are on private lands.
Jamir Uddin, deputy director of the Directorate of Environment (DoE) in Tangail, however, said cutting hillocks, be it on private or government lands, is a punishable offence under Environment Preservation Laws.
"Mobile court drives will be launched and cases will be filed against those involved with hill cutting," he added.
Environment officials also claimed that they couldn't take action against the plunderers as the lands weren't clearly demarcated.