Residents of Chitalmari upazila in Bagerhat have launched a mass signature campaign and held a street rally demanding an immediate and permanent halt to illegal sand extraction from the Madhumati River.
Local communities say the uncontrolled extraction is accelerating riverbank erosion, endangering homesteads and agricultural land, and posing a serious threat to the river’s ecological balance.
The programme, organised by the Chitalmari Environment Protection Movement, took place on Monday afternoon on the banks of the river near the Shaildah ferry ghat, where erosion has become increasingly visible in recent months.
A large number of villagers, farmers, traders, teachers and students joined the event, expressing deep concern over the long-term environmental consequences.
Advocate Fazlul Haque, chief coordinator of the organisation, attended as the chief guest. Environmental activist Enamul Haque Gazi conducted the programme, which began with the collection of signatures in support of a formal petition demanding government action.
Speakers at the rally included Professor Johorlal Sarkar, schoolteacher Prabhat Majumdar, theatre personality Selimuzzaman Thanda Munshi, madrasa teacher Shoaib Hossain Gazi, and affected villagers Tuhin Sheikh and Tara Mia Sheikh. The two victims described how river erosion, triggered by illegal sand lifting, has brought their families to the brink of displacement.
Speakers said illegal sand extraction has been going on for years at various points along the Madhumati River, often under the protection of influential quarters. They noted that the depletion of riverbed sediments has caused the riverbanks to collapse at an alarming rate, putting dozens of homes and crop fields at risk of being washed away. Many farmers have reportedly stopped cultivation in certain areas due to fear of erosion.
They further warned that the destruction of the river’s natural flow is severely harming fish breeding grounds and aquatic biodiversity, threatening the livelihoods of local fishermen.
The speakers urged the administration to conduct regular monitoring, take strong action against illegal sand traders, and ensure strict enforcement of environmental laws. They also demanded that the district and upazila administrations take immediate steps to identify erosion-prone spots and introduce long-term river protection measures.
