Hill Grabbing in Manikchhari: 50 Hills Devoured in a Year, Eight in the Last Three Months

❐ Local correspondent

A destructive festival in the name of development is going on in the green hills. The soil-eating gang has become unstoppable in Manikchhari of Khagrachari. Eight living hills have been wiped out in the last three months, breaking the tight surveillance of the administration and the net of lawsuits. The long-standing natural protection is being turned into flat land in the blink of an eye under the monstrous claws of modern machinery.

Although shovels or shovels were used to cut down mountains in the past, heavy excavators and pay loaders have now been brought in for the sake of modernity.

According to locals, about 50 small and large hills have been cleared in the past year. And in the first three months of this year, 8 hills have been cut down.

Areas where destruction is taking place

• Sadar Union: Lemua (1), Baradolu (1) and Eyatlongpara (2).
• Yogyachola Union: 4 hills have been cut down in Kharichhara and Kalapani areas.

15 acres of private land seized in the dark of night

Recently, a terrible act of vandalism was carried out on 15 acres of government land in the Masterpara area of ​​Kharichhara, Kalapani Mouza. In this secluded area, an influential group started the work of cutting down four hills in the dark of night to build a lake and a road.

Based on secret information, a mobile court was operated there last Sunday under the leadership of Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Khadija Tahira.

The accused fled after sensing the presence of the administration, but two powerful excavators were seized from the scene. It is learned that a person named Md. Monir Hossain is accused of being the main mastermind behind the destruction of this hill.

Even though the upazila administration has fined the hills and filed cases under the Environmental Act, the soil eaters are not being stopped.

In this regard, the Assistant Commissioner (Land) said, “The seized excavator has been taken into police custody. A letter has been sent to the Khagrachari Environment Department to file a case against those involved under the Environment Act. However, if local public representatives and conscious citizens do not come forward to protect the mountains and soil, it will be difficult for the administration alone to prevent this destruction.”

If strict steps are not taken now to protect the natural balance of Manikchhari, this mountainous town will face major environmental disasters, including landslides, in the near future.