Many ponds in Barisal filled up

BCC, DoE blame each other

A large number of public and private-owned ponds in Barisal city have been filled in the last few years much to the detriment of the ecology of the divisional metropolis.
Sources at the Department of Environment (DoE), Barisal, disclosed the fact yesterday to The Independent saying lack of awareness about the need for water bodies was one of the reasons behind.
DoE, Barisal and Barisal City Corporation have been blaming each other in this regard but none is coming forward to save the ponds.
Barisal Food Department is filling a water body measuring 1000 decimals at Buddhobhumi in the city where they will build a  food go-down.
The department is continuing the work claiming the water body to be in a low lying land.  The work has been started already with removing water from the water body.
It is being filled with sand from the river Kirtonkhola.
Local environmentalists formed a human chain in the city demanding stoppage of the filling of the reservoir.
Amzad Hosen, regional food controller, said that under a project named ‘Modern Food Storage Facilities’, a rice  go-down with capacity of 50,000 maunds of rice will be constructed here with the financial support of World Bank.
Sixteen go-downs and administrative and residential buildings will be constructed here.
Tk three crore for the construction work of the go-down has already been sanctioned.  “We have the duty just to look after the development work, not more than that,” he added.
Government Barisal Govt College authorities started construction work of the collage mosque filling the pond at North Mallik Road ignoring the demand of the local people.
High-rise buildings have been constructed killing six ponds of Srrenath Chatergee Road in daylight.
Sukumar Biswas, director of DoE Barisal office, said none has any right to change the character of the land but every one is doing that ignoring the law of environment.
He said that before liberation, there were about 300 ponds in the city but now their number is highest 70.
Of these, six more are already in the way of being filled. It is expected that local people now will take to the streets protesting filling of the ponds, but it is too late.  
Shukumar, however, said that in city area to save the ponds is the first duty of the city corporation.  “If the city authorities need our help, we are ready to support them,” he added.
He, however, said that he did not know about the recent filling of the ponds or reservour of the city.
Sukumar Biswas, director of DoE Barisal, said DoE issued a notice under sections 4(1) (2), 6(E) and 7 of Bangladesh Environment Preservation Act 1995 (amended 2010) as the accused pond grabber and his associates continued their mindless act.
He said that clearance from DoE is needed to fill any water body.
On the other hand, refusing the claim of  DoE, Ranjeet Das, chief executive officer of Barisal City Corporation, said to save the ponds is the duty of the Department of Environment first.
He, however, said BCC will take steps in this regard as soon.

Many ponds in Barisal filled up

BCC, DoE blame each other

A large number of public and private-owned ponds in Barisal city have been filled in the last few years much to the detriment of the ecology of the divisional metropolis. Sources at the Department of Environment (DoE), Barisal, disclosed the fact yesterday to The Independent saying lack of awareness about the need for water bodies was one of the reasons behind. DoE, Barisal and Barisal City Corporation have been blaming each other in this regard but none is coming forward to save the ponds. Barisal Food Department is filling a water body measuring 1000 decimals at Buddhobhumi in the city where they will build a food go-down. The department is continuing the work claiming the water body to be in a low lying land. The work has been started already with removing water from the water body. It is being filled with sand from the river Kirtonkhola. Local environmentalists formed a human chain in the city demanding stoppage of the filling of the reservoir. Amzad Hosen, regional food controller, said that under a project named Modern Food Storage Facilities, a rice go-down with capacity of 50,000 maunds of rice will be constructed here with the financial support of World Bank. Sixteen go-downs and administrative and residential buildings will be constructed here. Tk three crore for the construction work of the go-down has already been sanctioned. We have the duty just to look after the development work, not more than that, he added. Government Barisal Govt College authorities started construction work of the collage mosque filling the pond at North Mallik Road ignoring the demand of the local people. High-rise buildings have been constructed killing six ponds of Srrenath Chatergee Road in daylight. Sukumar Biswas, director of DoE Barisal office, said none has any right to change the character of the land but every one is doing that ignoring the law of environment. He said that before liberation, there were about 300 ponds in the city but now their number is highest 70. Of these, six more are already in the way of being filled. It is expected that local people now will take to the streets protesting filling of the ponds, but it is too late. Shukumar, however, said that in city area to save the ponds is the first duty of the city corporation. If the city authorities need our help, we are ready to support them, he added. He, however, said that he did not know about the recent filling of the ponds or reservour of the city. Sukumar Biswas, director of DoE Barisal, said DoE issued a notice under sections 4(1) (2), 6(E) and 7 of Bangladesh Environment Preservation Act 1995 (amended 2010) as the accused pond grabber and his associates continued their mindless act. He said that clearance from DoE is needed to fill any water body. On the other hand, refusing the claim of DoE, Ranjeet Das, chief executive officer of Barisal City Corporation, said to save the ponds is the duty of the Department of Environment first. He, however, said BCC will take steps in this regard as soon.